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The  ''Oli  Ctcne  Clvarc-h.'"'  fii 


TWO    CENTURIES 


IN   THE 


HISTORY  OF  THE 


PRESBYTEEIAlJi  CHURCH, 

JTAJS^A^HCA.,   L.   I.; 

THE  OLDEST  EXISTING  CHURCH,  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN 
NAME,  IN  AMERICA. 


BY  JAMES  M.  MACDOMLD,  D.  D, 


"One  generation  passeth  away,  and  another  generation  cometli;  but  the  earth 
abide th  for  ever." — Sol.  Ecc.  1,  4. 

"Nescire,  quid  anteaquam  natus  sis,  acciderlt,  id  est  semper  esse  puerum." — Cic. 
in  orat.  c.  S4. 


Mit\  n  gjfpnH^, 


CONTAINING  DISCOURSES  DELIVERED,   AND   AN  ACCOUNT   OP  THE  SERVICES 

HELD,    IN   COMMEMORATION   OF   THE   200TH   ANNIVERSARY   OF 

THE   FOUNDING    OF   SAID    CHURCH,    ON   THE  7TH,   8TH 

AND  9TH   DAYS   OF   JANUARY,    1862. 


NEW   YORK: 

ROBERT    CARTER    &    BROTHERS, 

No,   530  BROADWAY. 

1862. 


EDWARD    0.   JENKINS, 
No.  20  North  "William  St. 


TO 


NATHAN  SHELTON,  M.D., 

rOE     MORE    TUAX     FIFTY     TEARS    A    PRACTISING     PlITSICIAN    IN     JAMAICA,    AND    FOtt 
MORE    THAN    FORTY    TEARS 


i: 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH 


OF  THAT  PLACB, 


Th.is    'Voliinxe 


IS    RESPECTFULLY    INSCEIBED. 


" 


CONTENTS. 


CHAP  TEE    I. 


POLITICAL  HORIZON  TWO  CENTURIES  AGO  —  CROMWELL  —  CHARLES  II.  —  CONDI- 
TION OF  THOUGHT  AND  KNOWLEDGE  —  BAXTER,  BUNTAN,  OWEN,  HOWE,  EL- 
LIOTT —  HARVARD  COLLEGE  —  NEWSPAPERS  —  MINISTERS  IN  NEW  YORK  AND 
BROOKLYN  —  SCHOOLMASTERS — THE  FIRST  IN  JAMAICA  —  RELIGIOUS  HORI- 
'  ZON  —  THE  FIRST  COMPANIES  OF  PURITANS  LEAVE  ENGLAND  —  CHARLES  AND 
LAUD  —  THE  SCOTTISH  COVENANT  AND  CIVIL  WAR — PRESBYTERIANS  AND 
CAVALIERS  —  CHARLES  II.  INVITED  TO  THE  THRONE  —  HIS  INGRATITUDE  TO 
THE  PRESBYTERIANS  —  JEREMY  TAYLOR  —  ACT  OF  UNIFORMITY  —  ATTEMPT 
TO  ESTABLISH  PRELACY  IN  SCOTLAND  —  MONUMENT  IN  GRAYFRIARS  CHURCH- 
YARD—  REVOLUTION  1688  —  A  "  MUSTARD  SEED  "  — THE  "EAGLE  WING  "  — 
PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD, PAGES   17-24: 

CHAPTEK    II, 
1656-1670. 

SETTLEMENT  OP  JAMAICA  —  PETITION  —  LEAVE  GIVEN  BY  GOVERNOR  AND  COUN- 
CIL—  FIRST     ENTRY     IN    THE    RECORDS — DECLARATION    OF    PROPRIETORS  — 

TALL    TREES    TO    BE    SPARED THE    TENTHS— YEMACAH  —  SELLING    STRONG 

DRINK  TO  INDIANS  PROHIBITED  —  CARE  AS  TO  THE  CHARACTER  OP  SET- 
TLERS—  FIRST  MAGISTRATES  APPOINTED  —  EARLY  PREACHING  —  ARRANGE- 
MENTS  FOR   A   MINISTER — A   MINISTER'S    HOUSE   TO   BE   BUILT — MR.    WALKER 

—  BEATING   THE    DRUM    ON   SABBATH   DAYS — AGREEMENT   WITH   MR.  WALKER 

—  MEETING-HOUSE  TO  BE  BUILT  —  MR.  WALKER  REQUESTED  TO  PROCURE 
ORDINATION  —  REMOVES  TO  CONNECTICUT — HIS  DESCENDANTS  —  STYLE  OP 
DWELLINGS  —  FOOD  —  CATTLE  —  HABITS  —  INDUSTRY  —  WOMAN  —  INCREASE 
IN  WEALTH  —  COMPARATIVE  ESTATES  OF  INDIVIDUALS — DANIEL  DENTON  — 
HIS  HISTORY  —  SETTLEMENT  OF  ELIZABETHTOWN,  N.  J.  —  SOCIAL  LIFE  OP 
THE  PEOPLE  —  SABBATH  AND  WORSHIP  —  DRESS  —  FUNERALS  —  THE  BURY- 
IJiQ  GROUND, :■    25-52 

CHAPTEK    III. 
1670-1692. 

REV.  JOHN  PRUDDEN  —  A  CONVENIENT  PEW  TO  PREACH  IN  —  PERMISSION  GIVEN 
TO  MR.  PRUDDEN  TO  BUILD  ON  THE  MINISTER'S  LOT  —  THE  TOWN  "  FURTHER 
THE    COMING    INTO    A    CHURCHWAY"  —  MR.     PRUDDEN    LEAVES  —  REIV.     WM. 


6  CONTENTS. 


WOODROP — FORTY  ACRES  APPROPRIATED  FOR  THE  USE  OF  THE  MINISTER 
IN  1676  —  MR.  PRUDDEN  RETUaXED,  AND  ARTICLES  OF  AGREEMENT  WITH 
HIM  —  "  RULES  OF  THE  GOSPEL  IN  THIS  TOWN  "  —  WAS  THE  CHURCH  PRES- 
BYTERIAN OR  CONGREGATIONAL  ?  — REV.  RICHARD  DENTON  —  TESTIMONY  OF 
DUTCH     MINISTERS    THAT     HE     WAS     A     PRESBYTERIAN  —  PRESBYTERIANS    AT 

FLUSHING     AND    NEWTOWN  —  DR.    WOODBRIDGe's    HISTORICAL    DISCOURSE  

GOV.  STUYVESANT  TO  THE  MAGISTRATES  OF  HEMPSTEAD  — PRESBYTERIANS 
IN  NEW  ENGLAND  —  COTTON  MATHEr's  ACCOUNT  OF  MR.  DENTON  — 
CHURCH  GOVERNMENT  ACCORDING  TO  THE  SYNOD  OF  DORT  —  MR.  PRUDDEN's 
PETITION  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  TO  ALLOW  HIM  TO  BE  MINISTER  OF  CON- 
GREGATIONALISTS  —  MR.  P.  BECOMES  A  PRESBYTERIAN  —  GEORGE  SCOT — • 
ARCHIBALD  RIDDELL — THE  TOWN  VOTES  IN  FAVOR  OP  PRESBYTERIAN 
ORDINATION  IN  1700  —  REV.  GEORGE  m'nISH  —  THE  CHURCH  FOSTERED  BY 
THE  DUTCH  PRESBYTERIANS — THE  OLDEST  CHURCH  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN 
NAME  IN  AMERICA  —  VOTE  RESPECTING  THE  ERECTION  OF  A  MEETING  HOUSE 
1X1689  —  MR.  PRUDDEN  GOES  TO  NEWARK  —  HIS  DEATH  AND  EPITAPH,    53-80 


CHAPTEE    lY. 
1692-1699. 


FIRST  MOVEMENT  TOWARDS  ERECTING  THE  STONE  MEETING  HOUSE  —  APPLICA- 
TION TO  THE  ASSEMBLY — VANE  A  TARGET  TO  BRITISH  SOLDIERS  IN  THE 
REVOLUTION — DATE  ON  IT  —  STYLE  OF  THE  BUILDING —  JEREMIAH  HOBERT 
—  GEORGE  PHILLIPS  —  HIS  "  DYOTT  "  PAID  FOR  —  PEOPLE  SEND  TO  THE 
"main"  FOR  a  minister  —  MR.  JONES,  LATE  OF  DANBURY  —  SUBSCRIPTION 
LIST  FOR  THE  SUPPORT  OF  A  MINISTER  —  VOTES  OF  THE  TOWN  RESPECT- 
ING MEETING  HOUSE  AND  MR.  PHILLIPS  —  THE  GOV.  PETITIONED  RESPECT- 
ING THE  SETTLEMENT  OF  MR.  HOBERT  —  DISPUTE  RESPECTING  MEETING 
HOUSE     SETTLED  —  ACCOUNT     OF   MR.  HOBERT  —  HOUSE    FINISHED,..       81-93 


CHAPTEE     Y. 
1700-1724r. 

JOHN  HUBBARD  —  ORDAINED  IN  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  WAY  —  VESTRYMEN  AND 
CHURCHWARDENS  ELECTED — SILAS  WOOD,  ESQ. — REV.  MR.  THOMAS,  HEMP- 
STEAD—  COTTON     MATHER     ON     JAMAICA —  CHIEF     JUSTICE     SMITH     ON     THB 

JAMAICA   TROUBLES  —  "  WATCH   TOWER,"  LIVINGSTONE,   SoOTT   AND   SMITH 

CORNBURY's  ORDERS  TO  INQUIRE  INTO  THE  RIOT,  AND  TO  MR.  HUBBARD  TO 
VACATE  THE  PARSONAGE — ORDER  TO  WARDENS  AND  SHERIFF  TO  SELL  THB 
CORN  —  ORDER  TO  LAY  TAX  AND  FINE  THE  WARDENS  AND  VESTRY  FOR  RE- 
FUSING—  REV.   MR.   Bartow's   account   of   the    riot  —  mr.    hubbard's 

DEATH  —  rev.  p.  GORDON    BURIED  UNDER   THE    CHURCH —  REV.  W.  URQUHART 

REV.  F.  GOODHUE'S  CALL  AND  COMMISSION  —  HIS  EARLY  DEATH  —  ELEGANT 

LATIN  LINES  ON  HIM  —  REV.  G.  m'nISH  CALLED  —  THE  CHURCH  TAKEN  POS- 
SESSION OF  BY  THE  PRPSBYTERIANS  —  ACCOUNT  OF  MR.  m'niSH  —  THE  PER- 
SECUTION  CONTINUES  —  MEMORIAL    OF    THE     PEOPLE     TO    THE     GOVERNOR 

S.  CLOWES  INFORMS  OF  THE  RIOT  JN  1710 — ORDERS  AND  FINES  IN  RE- 
SPECT TO  IT  —  REV.  THOS.  POYER  —  MEMORIAL  OF  THE  CLERGY  IN  RE- 
SPECT TO  HIM  —  GOV.  HUNTER,  COL.  MORRIS  AND  COL.  HEATHCOTE  ON  THE 
CHURCH  DIFFICULTIES  —  SUBJECT  BROUGHT  BEFORE  THE  QUEEN  IN  PRIVY 
COUNCIL  —  THE    LAWSUIT  —  MR.    m'mSB'S    CHARACTER    AND    SERVICES  —  HIS 


CONTENTS.  7 

DEATH  —  REV.  ROBERT  CROSS  —  EJECTMENT  SUIT  DECIDED  AGAINST  MR. 
POTER  —  GOV.  BURNET  TO  BISHOP  OF  LONDON  —  MR.  POYER  AND  MR. 
CAMPBELL    TO    SECRETARY  —  THE    CHURCH    RECOVERED, 94-153 


CHAPTER     YI. 
17Q4.-1774r. 


FREE  SCHOOL  —  THE  TOWN  TAKE  POSSESSION  OF  THE  CHURCH  —  MK.  CROSS 
CALLED  TO  PHILADELPHIA  —  THE  PEOPLE  STRENUOUSLY  OPPOSE  HIS  RE- 
MOVAL —  HIS  REMOVAL  —  HIS  EPITAPH  —  WALTER  WILMOT  —  PUT  IN  POS- 
SESSION OF  THE  PARSONAGE  —  MRS.  WILMOT  —  HER  DEATH  —  MR.  WHITEFIELD 
VISITS  THE  PLACE  —  HIS  PREACHING  ON  REGENERATION  TROUBLES  MR. 
COLGAN  —  EFFECT  —  MR.  WILMOt's  DEATH  —  EPITAPH  —  MR.  COLGAN  RE- 
JOICES—  DAVID  BOSTWICK  —  TOWN  FORMALLY  SURRENDERS  CHURCH  PROP- 
ERTY TO  THE  PRESBYTERIANS  — THE  RECORD  —  MR.  BOSTWICK  CALLED  TO 
NEW  YORK  —  COMMITTEE  OF  SYNOD  MEET  AT  JAMAICA  ON  HIS  REMOVAL  — 
MR.  BOSTWICK  APPOINTED  TO  SUPPLY  NEW  YORK  —  COMMITTEE  OF  SYNOD 
MEET  AT  PRINCETON  —  VOTE  FOR  HIS  REMOVAL  —  HIS  MINISTRY  IN  NEW 
YORK  —  HIS  PUBLICATIONS,  CHARACTER  AND  DEATH  —  ELIHU  SPENCER  — 
ORDAINED  AS  A  MISSIONARY  TO  THE  INDIANS  —  HIS  KNOWLEDGE  OF  THE 
INDIAN  LANGUAGES  —  SETTLES  AT  ELIZABETHTOWN  —  REMOVES  TO  JAMAICA 
—  CHAPLAIN  IN  THE  FRENCH  AND  INDIAN  WAR  —  SETTLES  AT  ST.  GEORGE's 
DEL. —  REMOVES  TO  TRENTON,  N.  J.  —  HIS  READY  TALENT  —  EPITAPH  —  HIS 
DESCENDANTS  —  B.  BRADNER — WM.  MILLS  —  NUMBER  IN  COMMUNION — RE- 
VIVAL OF  RELIGION  —  EFFECT  OF  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  REVIVAL  AT  EAST- 
HAMPTON —  MR.  WHITEFIELD  VISITS  JAMAICA,  THE  SECOND  TIME  — PREACHES 
IN  AN  ORCHARD  —  A  TRACT  BY  MR.  MILLS  —  MR.  SEABURY  VS.  MR.  WHITE- 
FIELD —  MR.  MILLS  DECLINES  A  CALL  TO  PHILADELPHIA  —  HIS  DEATH  — 
HIS  DISEASE  —  HIS  CHILDREN  —  HIS  MSS.  —  PEOPLE  STILL  RESIST  THE  TAX 
TO  SUPPORT  THE  EPISCOPAL  MINISTRY — MR.  BLOOMER  ON  THE  POLITICAL 
TROUBLES  OF  1776  —  SHUTS  HIS  CHURCH  FOR  FIVE  SUNDAYS  UNTIL  THE 
king's   TROOPS   ARRIVE, 154-189 


CHAPTER     YII. 
1775-1815. 

MATTHIAS  BURNET  ORDAINED  —  MARRIES  IN  JAMAICA  —  THE  REVOLUTION  — 
PRESBYTERIAN  MINISTERS  SUPPORT  THE  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  —  REVO- 
LUTIONARY INCIDENTS  —  MR.  BURNET  HAS  INFLUENCE  WITH  THE  LOYALISTS 
—  SAVES  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  FROM  DESTRUCTION — HIGHLANDERS 
ATTEND  HIS  PREACHING  —  THE  SCOTCH  WOMAN  AND  HER  BOTTLE  OF 
WATER  —  MR.  ONDERDONk's  REVOLUTIONARY  INCIDENTS  —  ELIAS  BAYLI3 
ARRESTED  — SENT  TO  THE  PROVOST  —  SINGS  IN  PRISON  —  HIS  DEATH  — 
OTHER  WHIGS  SEIZED  —  WHIGS  RETURN  AT  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  AVAR  —  MR. 
BURNET  LEAVES,  AND  SETTLES  AT  NORWALK  —  DEATH  —  GEORGE  FAITOUTE 
INSTALLED  —  ONE  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  TRUSTEES  OF  U.  H.  ACADEMY  —  THE 
OLD  STONE  CHURCH  TAKEN  DOWN,  AND  A  NEW  ONE  BUILT  —  MR. 
FAITOUTE's     DEATH, 190-211 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEEYIII. 
1815-186S. 

R.  WEED  —  REMOVES  TO  ALBANY  —  S.  P.  FUNCK  —  DISSEXSIOX  —  REV.  A.  NET- 
TLETON  —  GREAT  REVIVAL  —  DISSENSION  HEALED  —  MR.  NETTLETOx's  METHOD 

E.  W.  CRANE  —  mS   USEFUL   MINISTRY  —  DR.  MURRAY'S  SKETCH  OF  HIM — 

HIS  DEATH  —  J.  M.  MACDONALD — THE  NEW  ERA  IN  THE  HISTORY  OF  THE 
CHURCH  UNDER  MR.  WEEd's  MINISTRY  —  THE  HIGHLY  PROSPEROUS  STATE  OF 
THE  CONGREGATION    IN   1841  —  INCIDENTS    IN   MR.  MACDONALD's  MINISTRY  — 

P.  D.  oakey, 212-225 


CHAPTEK    IX. 


STATISTICS    OF    THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES  —  INFLU- 
ENCE   OF    A   SINGLE     CHURCH  —  MEN     DIE,    TRUTH     ENDURES THE     LIFE     OF 

SOCIETY  —  ERROR  AND  SIN  TRANSMITTED  —  LOSSES  AND  GAINS,  OR  THE  TRAN- 
SIENT AND  PERMANENT  IN  HISTORY  —  SIGNS  OF  TBE  TIMES  —  THE  MISSION- 
ARY SPIRIT  OF  RICHARD  BAXTER  —  HOPE  FOR  OUR  COUNTRY  IN  ITS  PRESENT 
TRIALS — PRINCIPLES  RECEIVED  FROM  THE  PRESBYTERIAX  FATHERS  —  LOY- 
ALTY—  RELIGIOUS  IXSTRUCTIOX  OF  YOUTH  —  FREEDOM  OF  COXSCIENCE  — 
CHOICE  OF  RULERS  —  HOW  WE  MAY  BEST  SERVE  THE  FUTURE  —  KING  DAVID 
—  ABEL — THE  CHAIN  OF  EXPERIEXCE —  MR.  AMOS  DEXTOX  —  FAITH  AND 
PRAYER,    226-238 


ADDEIS'D  A 


I.  RATE  LIST  OF  JAMAICA  IN  16S3  —  II.  RETURN  OF  MARRIAGES,  BAPTISMS  AND 
BURIALS  FOR  SEVEN  YEARS  PRECEDING  1688  —  III.  RATE  LIST  OF  JAMAICA, 
FEB.  1708-9  —  IV.  LETTER  OP  THE  REV.  GEORGE  HALE,  PENNIXGTOX,  X.  J.  — 
V.  PRESBYTERIES  WITH  WHICH  THE  CHURCH  HAS  BEEX  COXNECTED  —  VI. 
CATALOGUE  OF  THE  MIXISTERS  —  VII.  CATALOGUE  OF  THE  ELDERS  —  VIII. 
DEACOXS  —  IX.  TRUSTEES  OF  THE  COXGREGATIOX  —  X.  NUMBER  OF  COM- 
MUXICAXTS  AXXUALLY  REPORTED  TO  PRESBYTERY  —  XI.  LIST  OF  MIXISTERS 
WHO  HAVE  GOXE  FORTH,  ETC. — XII.  LIST  OF  VESTRYMEN,  ETC. — XIII. 
CONTEMPORARY  MIXISTERS  OF  JAMAICA  —  XIV.  THE  FIRST  IXDIAN  DEED  FOR 
THE  TOWNSHIP, 239-259 

APPENDIX. 

PRELIMINARY  ARRANGEMENTS  —  OPENING  EXERCISES  —  MURAL  TABLETS  —  SER- 
MON BY  DR.  AlACDONALD  —  INTERLOCUTORY  MEETING  OF  MINISTERS  IX  FORMER 

CONNECTION    WITH    THE    CHURCH — SERMON     BY     REV.    J.    M.    KREBS,    D.  D. 

SERMON  BY  REV.  W.  P.  BREED  —  COMMUNION — LETTERS  FROM  DR.  WEED 
AND  OTHERS  —  COXCLUDIXG  ADDRESS  BY  THE  PASTOR,  REV.  P.  D.  OAKEY  — 
"  NEW   YORK    OBSERVER,"    "  PRESBYTERIAN," 261-329 


PEEFACE. 

The  following  note  will  serve  to  explain  to  tlie  public 
tlie  origin  of  tliis  volume : 

Jamaica,  L.  L,  January  8,  1862. 
To  Rev.  James  JS/i  Macdonald^  D.  D. : 

Dear  Sir  : — ^The  undersigned,  a  committee  of  the  Eld- 
ers, Deacons  and  Trustees,  beg  leave  to  thank  you  for  the 
very  able  and  interesting  discourse  delivered  yesterday, 
commemorative  of  the  200th  anniversary  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  in  this  place  ;  and,  believing  that  the  impor- 
tant matter  therein  contained  should  be  preserved  in  a 
permanent  form,  ask  the  favor  of  a  copy  for  publication. 
Very  sincerely  and  truly  yours, 

P.  D.  Oaket, 
Jno.  J.  Armstrong, 
Laurens  Reeve, 
Jno.  D.  Shelton. 

Shortly  after  this  was  received,  the  Session  and 
Trustees,  through  the  Pastor,  Eev.  Mr.  Oakey,  re- 
quested that  a  new  and  enlarged  edition  of  the  History 
of  the  Church,  which  was  published  in  1847,  might  be 
prepared.  Tliis  work  was  accordingly  undertaken ; 
and  the  historical  matter  referred  to  in  the  above  note, 
and  other  matter  new,  or  deemed  too  important  to  be 
allowed  to  pass  into  oblivion,  will  be  found  incorpo- 
rated in  the  following  pages. 

As  in  the  former  publication,  of  which  this  can 
scarcely  be  called  a  new  edition,  the  author  felt  con- 
strained to  express  his  special  acknowledgments  to 
1* 


10  PREFACE. 

Henry  Onderdonk,  Jr.,  Esq.,  antlior  of  "  Eevolution- 
arj  Incidents  of  Long  Island,"  for  directing  him  to 
sources  of  valuable  information,  he  is  in  this  called 
upon  to  renew  his  acknowledgments  to  that  gentle- 
man for  similar  services,  and  especially  for  securing  for 
him  an  accurate  copy  of  all  the  minutes  relating  to  the 
church,  found  in  the  ancient  Town  Records  of  Jamaica. 
These  minutes,  nearly  entire  in  the  order  of  their  dates, 
are  here  preserved. 

Thanks  are  also  due  to  Dr.  E.  B.  O'Callaghan  of 
Albany,  for  kindly  furnishing  two  of  the  oldest  docu- 
ments in  the  book,  one  of  which  he  translated  from  the 
Dutch  ;  and  to  Charles  Shaw,  Esq.,  for  perfecting,  from 
his  own  recollections,  the  rough  sketch  of  the  stone 
church,  left  by  the  late  Judge  Lamberson,  an  engrav- 
ing of  which  appears  in  this  volume. 

The  Indian  deed  for  the  first  purchase  of  land  by 
the  original  settlers,  was  discovered  too  late  to  be  in- 
serted in  the  proper  place.  It,  with  other  important 
documents,  will  be  found  in  the  Addenda. 

The  Appendix,  containing  an  account  of  the  recent 
bi-centennial  celebration  was  prepared,  under  the  di- 
rection of  a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  by 
the  Trustees  and  Elders  of  the  congregation. 

This  history,  it  is  thought,  will  be  possessed  of  some 
interest  outside  of  the  particular  community  to  which 
it  relates,  as  it  presents  the  evidence  (if  it  might  not 
rather  be  called  ^^rc^?/")  of  its  being  the  oldest  existing 
church  of  the  Presbyterian  name  in  America. 

Parsonage-House,  Library  Place, 
;  Princeton,  N.  J.,  May  8tli,  1862. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Jamaica,  on  Long  Island,  was  settled,  under  the 
Dutch  rule,  in  1656.  The  English,  laying  claim  to  the 
same  territory,  it  was  surrendered  to  them  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  166L 

After  the  Revolution  in  England,  in  1688,  a  great 
change  took  place  in  the  Colonial  government.  A 
General  Assembly  was  allowed,  which  consisted  of 
deputies,  chosen  by  the  freeholders  of  each  County,  to 
whom,  together  with  the  Grovernor  and  the  Council, 
the  legislative  j)ower  was  intrusted. 

In  1692,  Colonel  Fletcher  arrived,  with  a  commission 
to  be  Governor  of  the  Colony.  He  very  soon  mani- 
fested great  zeal  to  form  a  "  religious  establishment ;" 
and,  whilst  the  government  was  in  his  hands,  a  new 
policy  was  adopted,  in  respect  to  ecclesiastical  affairs, 
which,  at  length,  produced  much  dissension,  and 
operated  with  disastrous  effect  on  the  Presbyterian 
churches  in  Hempstead  and  Jamaica.  The  recommen- 
dation of  the  Governor  was  for  "  the  settling  of  an 
able  ministry,"  but  no  intimation  was  given  that  the 
Church  of  England  was  to  be  exclusively  suj)ported  by 
law.  The  majority  of  the  Assembly  were  entirely  dis- 
inclined to  the  scheme;  but,  as  the  model  of  the 
Church  of  HollpTid  had  been  secured  to  them,  by  one 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

of  the  articles  of  surrender,  it  is  not  probable  tliey 
suspected  Fletcher  of  bis  design  to  introduce  uniform- 
ity of  religion,  or  to  bave  tbe  Cburcb  of  England  ex- 
clusively supported  by  law.  Tbe  Governor  warmly 
rebuked  tbem,  asserting  that  tbe  same  law  wbicb 
secured  to  tbem  tbe  privileges  of  Englishmen,  did 
"provide  for  tbe  religion  of  tbe  Church  of  England." 
Fletcher  was  a  bigot  to  the  Episcopal  form  of  Church 
government.* 

In  September,  1693,  a  new  Assembly  met.  The  de- 
termination of  tbe  Governor  at  length  induced  the 
bouse  to  yield  ;  and  a  bill  was  "  brought  in  for  settling 
tbe  ministry,  and  raising  a  maintenance  for  them  in  the 
City  and  County  of  ISTew  York,  Counties  of  Richmond 
and  Westchester  and  Queens  County."  Tbe  bill  was 
drawn  by  James  Grahame,  Esq.,  the  Speaker  of  the 
Assembly,  who  was  the  only  member  of  that  body 
who  belonged  to  tbe  Church  of  England.  As  the  in- 
habitants of  Jamaica  were,  at  that  time,  seeking  to 
erect  a  new  house  of  worship,  and  had  applied  to  the 
Assembly  for  an  Act  to  enable  them  to  raise  money 
for  the  work.  Colonel  Fletcher  and  Grahame,  perceiv- 
ing tbe  Assembly  inclined  to  pass  such  an  Act,  thought 
it  a  favorable  opportunity  to  press  their  favorite  meas- 
ure for  a  religious  establishment,  and  accordingly 
brought  in  the  bill  aforesaid.  It  was  artfully  framed, 
and  prescribed  a  method  of  induction  that  "  would  not 
do  well  for  the  Dissenters,  and  but  lamely  for  the 
Church,  tho'  'twould  do  with  tbe  help  of  tbe  Gover- 
nor."f     The  bill  passed  and  was  sent  to  tbe  Governor 

*  Smith,  I.  p.  128. 
t  Colonel  Lewis  Morris'  MS  Letter  to  the  Yen.  Soc, 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

and  Council,  who  immediately  returned  it,  with  an 
amendment  to  the  effect  that  ministers  should  be  "pre- 
sented to  the  Governor  to  be  approved  and  collated." 
The  members  of  the  house  refused  to  pass  the  amend- 
ment. Fletcher  was  so  highly  exasperated,  that  he 
summoned  the  representatives  forthwith  to  the  council 
chamber,  and  told  them  that  he  had  "  the  power  of  col- 
lating or  suspending  any  minister  in  his  government." 
Smith  thinks  that  it  can  only  be  attributed  to  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  times  that  the  members  of  the  Assembly 
peaceably  put  up  with  that  man's  rudeness.  Tlie  char- 
ter of  privileges  gi-anted  by  the  Duke  of  York  to  the 
inhabitants  of  'New  York  provided  that  all  "persons 
which  profess  in  Godlynesse  Jesus  Christ"  might 
"  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times,  have  and  fully 
enjoy  their  judgments  and  consciences  in  matters  of 
religion  throughout  all  the  province."  The  same  char- 
ter confirmed  "the  respective  Christian  churches  now 
in  practice  within  the  Citty  of  New  Yorke,  Long 
Island,  and  other  places  of  this  province,"  "  that  they 
shall  be  held  and  reputed  as  pkiviledged  Churches, 

AND  ENJOY  THEIR  FORMER  FREEDOMS  OF  THEIR  RELIGION, 
IN  DIVINE  WORSHIP  AND  CHURCH  DISCIPLINE." 

In  the  spring  of  1695,  the  Assembly  declared,  in 
explanation  of  the  Act  of  1693,  "  That  the  vestry-men 
and  church-wardens  have  power  to  call  a  dissenting 
Protestant  minister,  and  that  he  is  to  be  paid  and  main- 
tained as  the  Act  directs."  This  was  done  on  account 
of  the  attempt  to  interpret  the  Act  as  made  for  the 
sole  benefit  of  the  Church  of  England.  The  design  of 
the  Governor,  and  the  secret  of  all  his  zeal,  for  "  set- 
tling the  ministry,"  was  now  made  evident ;  for  he  re- 


14:  INTRODUCTION. 

jected  tlie  interpretation  of  the  Assembly,  and  decided 
that  the  act  applied  solely  to  the  ministry  of  that 
church. 

Lord  Cornbury  was  aj)pointed  to  succeed  the  Earl 
of  Bellomont  in  the  government,  and  he  arrived  in  the 
Colony  early  in  the  year  1702.  In  his  zeal  for  ''  the 
Church,"  he  was  not  behind  any  of  his  predecessors, 
and  therefore  he  was  a  fit  instrument  to  carry  out  the 
policy  of  Governor  Fletcher.  "  His  persecution  of  the 
Presbyterians  very  early  increased  the  number  of  his 
enemies ;  the  Dutch,  too,  were  fearful  of  his  religious 
rage  against  them,  as  he  disputed  their  right  to  call 
and  settle  ministers,  or  even  schoolmasters,  without 
his  special  license."  "  We  never  had  a  Governor  so 
universally  detested,  nor  any  who  so  richly  deserved 
the  j)ublic  abhorrence.  In  spite  of  his  noble  descent, 
his  behavior  was  trifling,  mean,  and  extravagant.  It 
was  not  uncommon  for  him  to  dress  himself  in  a 
woman's  habit,  and  then  to  patrol  the  fort  in  which  he 
resided.  Such  freaks  of  low  humor  exj)Osed  him  to 
the  universal  contempt  of  the  people ;  but  their  indig- 
nation was  kindled  by  his  despotic  rule,  savage  bigotry, 
insatiable  avarice,  and  injustice,  not  only  to  the  public, 
but  even  his  private  creditors  ;  for  he  left  some  of  the 
lowest  tradesmen,  in  his  employment,  unsatisfied  in 
their  just  demands."* 

Such  was  the  man  whom  the  Presbyterians  of  Ja- 
maica long  had  cause  to  remember.  To  honor  his 
memoryf  must  be  to  disregard  the  most  authentic  tes- 

*  Smith,  I.  pp.  190,  194. 

t  See  a  Discourse   by  the  Rev,  W.  M.  Carmichael,  D.  D.,  delivered  at 
Hempstead,  1841. 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

timony  as  to  liis  true  character.  "  Cornbuiy  became 
so  obnoxious  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  province  that 
they  sent  a  complaint  to  England  against  him.  The 
queen  in  consequence  of  this  complaint  displaced 
him."*  "  Lord  Cornbuiy  did  more  to  bring  disgrace 
upon  the  administration  of  the  Colony  than"  all  his 
predecessors  together.  There  was  never  probably  a 
Governor  of  j^Tew  York  so  universally  detested,  and 
who  so  richly  deserved  it."f  Grahame  says, ''  in  every 
quarter  of  the  province  the  Governor  offered  his  assist- 
ance to  the  Episcopalians,  to  put  them  in  possession  of 
the  ecclesiastical  edifices  that  other  sects  had  built, 
and  to  the  disgrace  of  some  of  the  zealots  of  Episco- 
pacy, this  offer  was  in  various  instances  accepted,  and 
produced  the  most  disgusting  scenes  of  riot,  injustice, 
and  confusion." 

*  Notes  on  Brooklyn,  by  the  Hon.  G.  Furman,  p.  108. 
t  Thompson,  II.  108. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

J^lVtJ^IC^,      L.I. 


C  H  A  P  T  E  E    I. 

POLITICAL  HORIZOX  TWO  CENTURIES  AGO — CROMWELL  —  CHARLES  II.  —  CONDI- 
TION OF  THOUGHT  AND  KNOWLEDGE  —  BAXTER,  BUNYAN,  OWEN,  HOWE,  EL- 
LIOTT —  HARVARD  COLLEGE  —  NEWSPAPERS  —  MINISTERS  IN  NEW  TORK  AND 
BROOKLYN  —  SCHOOLMASTERS — -THE  FIRST  IN  JAMAICA  —  RELIGIOUS  HORI- 
ZON—  THE  FIRST  COMPANIES  OF  PURITANS  LEAVE  ENGLAND — CHARLES  AND 
LAUD  —  THE  SCOTTISH  COVENANT  AND  CIVIL  WAR  —  PRESBYTERIANS  AND 
CAVALIERS  —  CHARLES  II.  INVITED  TO  THE  THRONE  —  HIS  INGRATITUDE  TO 
THE  PRESBYTERIANS  —  JEREMY  TAYLOR  —  ACT  OF  UNIFORMITY  —  ATTEMPT 
TO  ESTABLISH  PRELACY  IN  SCOTLAND — MONUMENT  IN  GRAYFRIARS  CHURCH- 
YARD—  REVOLUTION  16S8  —  A  "MUSTARD  SEEd" — THE  **  EAGLE  WING  " — 
PROVIDENCE   OF    GOD. 

IN  England,  two  liundred  years  ago,  tlie  people  were 
feeling  the  throes  of  that  mighty  convulsion,  which 
attended  the  long  struggle  between  her  sovereigns  and 
their  parliaments,  and  which  issued  at  length  in  bind- 
ing uj)  together  "  the  rights  of  the  people  and  the  title 
of  the  reigning  dynasty."  In  1660,  two  years  before 
the  establishment  of  a  Christian  congregation  in  this 
place,  Charles  II.  had  been  restored  to  the  throne. 
From  1649,  when  his  father  was  executed,  the  govern- 
ment had  been  administered  by  a  Council  of  State 
and  the  Parliament  until  1653,  when  Oliver  Cromwell 
dissolved  the  parliament  and   assumed  the  reins  of 


18  HISTOKT    OF   THE 

government.  Oliver  was  at  tlie  zenith  of  liis  great- 
ness in  1656,  when  the  first  settlers  came  to  Jamaica. 
England,  from  the  insignificant  position  she  had  held 
for  half  a  century,  rose  to  be  one  of  the  most  formid- 
able powers  of  the  world ;  her  naval  victories,  nnder 
Blake  and  Dean  over  De  Kuyter  and  Tromp,  estab- 
lished her  title  as  mistress  of  the  seas. 

Charles  II.  came  to  the  throne  with  no  mean  abili- 
ties, with  amiable  qualities,  and  from  "  a  school  of  bit- 
ter experience,"  which  might  have  made  him  a  great 
and  good  monarch.  He  was  greeted  by  his  subjects 
with  a  love  and  devotion  such  as  none  of  his  predeces- 
sors had  known.  But  addicted,  immoderately,  to  sen- 
sual indulgence  and  frivolous  pleasures,  incapable  of 
friendship,  without  gratitude  for  favours,  insensible  to 
reproach,  without  desire  for  renown,  with  an  utter  de- 
testation for  business,  he  relinquished  the  direction  of 
public  aft  airs,  and  allowed  himself  to  become  a  mere 
puppet  in  the  hands  of  the  worthless  parasites  who 
gathered  around  him.  He  spurned  from  the  foot  of 
the  throne  loyal  subjects,  without  whose  aid  he  never 
could  have  gained  it.  The  vices  of  the  court  were  not 
long  in  infecting  the  morals  and  manners  of  the  people. 
Enforced  decorum  and  sanctity  under  the  Puritan 
rule,  when  the  restraint  was  taken  off  and  an  example 
which  discouraged  no  excess  was  set  in  high  places, 
was  soon  followed  by  the  opposite  extreme,  and  the 
people  became  greedy  for  licentious  pleasures  and 
frivolous  amusements.  The  writings  of  infidels,  in 
which  the  obligations  of  morality  were  relaxed  and 
religion  was  degraded,  as  in  the  pagan  systems  of  old, 
into  a  mere  affair  of  state,  were  eagerly  welcomed  by 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  19 

courtiers  and  fine  gentlemen.  The  play-lioiises  were 
re-opened  and  crowded,  and  became  seminaries  of  vice. 
The  female  character  was  degraded  and  the  education 
of  high-born  women  neglected,  as  it  had  never  been 
since  the  revival  of  learning,  and  as  it  has  never  been 
since.  In  literature  France  gave  law  to  the  world. 
The  fountains  of  the  great  deep  of  evil  seemed  to  be 
broken  up,  and  to  be  flooding  the  land ;  and  as  the 
years  of  this  reign  progressed  the  national  virtue  sunk 
to  the  lowest  point. 

In  1662,  Newton  was  yet  to  make  his  great  discover- 
ies. It  was  not,  it  is  said,  till  1666  he  first  conceived 
the  idea  of  gravitation,  by  seeing  an  apple  fall  from  a 
tree,  which  led  to  his  theory  of  planetary  motion — 
a  theory  which  required  nearly  another  century,  before 
it  was  confirmed  beyond  a  doubt.  Chemistry,  botany, 
geology,  and  even  geography  were  almost  unknown 
sciences.  A  fact  so  important  to  medical  science  as 
the  circulation  of  the  blood  had  been  known  to  physi- 
cians but  five  years,  and  the  Royal  Society  of  England 
had  just  come  into  existence.  The  full  strength  and 
elevation  of  the  French  language  was  just  then  being 
demonstrated  by  the  celebrated  writers  who  flourished 
under  Louis  XIY. ;  but  "it  may  be  doubted,"  says 
Lord  Macaulay,  "  whether  any  one  of  the  forty  mem- 
bers of  the  French  Academy  had  an  English  volume  in 
his  library,  or  knew  Shakspeare,  Jonson,  or  But- 
ler by  name."  The  Augustan  era  of  Spanish  literature 
was  already  past,  and  German  literature  was  a  thing 
of  the  future.  The  world  was  yet  to  receive  that  im- 
perishable monument  of  Milton's  fame,  the  Paradise 
Lost.     Bunyan  was  lying  in  Bedford  jail  with  his  Bi- 


20  HISTORY   OF   THE 

ble  and  Fox's  Book  of  Martyrs,  composing  his  immor- 
tal allegory.  Baxter  had  a  few  years  before,  whilst  a 
chaplain  in  the  army,  with  no  other  books  than  the 
Bible  and  a  Concordance  written  the  Saints'  Kest,  and 
was  yet  to  compose  the  greater  portion  of  his  volumi- 
nous productions.  The  most  important  w^orks  of  the 
great  Dr.  Owen  had  not  then  been  published.  John 
Howe  was  yet  to  produce  those  writings,  which  are  still 
so  highly  valued  in  the  religious  world.  John  Wesley 
had  not  been  raised  up,  as  by  the  visible  hand  of  God, 
to  withstand  the  prevailhig  indifferentism  and  infidel- 
ity of  his  day.  Protestant  missions  among  the  heathen 
were  unknown.  The  Indian  Testament  of  John  El- 
liott had  just  been  j^i'inted ;  his  Indian  Bible  was  not 
completed.  'No  English  copy  of  the  Scriptures  had 
been  printed  in  America.  The  authorized  version  had 
been  finished  only  fifty  years  before. 

In  1662,  there  was  but  one  college  in  the  colonies, 
and  not  a  single  newspaj)er  until  nearly  forty  years  af- 
ter this  date.  Tea  was  unknown,  as  it  was  also  in  the 
mother  country.  No  settlement  had  been  made  in 
Pennsylvania,  South  Carolina,  and  Georgia.  The  Mis- 
sissippi River  had  not  been  navigated,  except  by  the 
canoes  of  the  Bed  Men  ;  nor  was  it  even  known  to  the 
civilized  world.  The  entire  white  population  of  ISTew 
England  did  not  probably  exceed  fifty  thousand. 
Brooklyn,  now  a  city  of  more  than  two  hundred  and 
fifty  thousands,  contained  a  population  of  less  than  one 
hundred  and  forty  persons.  It  had  one  Dutch  church,* 
having   one  elder  and  twenty-four  members.      New 

*  Dominie    Selyus  Letter  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  IGGO,  in  Doc. 
Hist,  of  New  York,  vol.  iii.,  p.  109. 


PEESBTTEKIAN   CHrRCIT,  JAMAICA.  21 

Amsterdam,  now  'New  York,  with  its  eight  hundred 
thousand,  had  about  fifteen  hundred  inhabitants,^  not 
two  hundred  and  fifty  of  whom  Avere  capable  of  bear- 
ing arms.  A  dozen  butchers  could  supply  its  sham- 
bles. A  house  and  garden,  at  the  corner  of  the  pres- 
ent Wall  and  Pearl  streets,  could  be  bought  for  $220. 
The  rent  of  a  house  of  the  better  class  was  $80  per  an- 
num ;  the  rent  of  an  ordinary  house,  fifteen  beaver 
skins,  or  $36.  Beaver  skins  were  the  most  stable  arti- 
cle of  currency,  valued  at  six  guilders,  or  $2.40.f  In 
addition  to  the  two  ministers  in  New  York,  the  one  at 
Albany,  and  the  one  at  Brooklyn,  the  Dutch  had  but 
two  ministers  in  the  entire  province  of  New  Nether- 
lands, one  at  Middelwout  (Flatbush),  and  one  at 
^sopus  (Kingston).:]:  Schoolmasters  were  still  fewer. 
Li  165T,  there  were  but  three  in  all  the  Dutch  and 
English  villages  in  the  province.  The  earliest  record 
of  one  in  Jamaica  is  in  1676,§  when  by  vote  of  the 
town,  Richard  Jones  was  allowed  to  use  the  meeting- 
house, provided  he  swept  it  out  and  arranged  the  seats 
for  the  Sabbath. 

When  that  struo^o^le  to  which  the  Eno-lish  constitu- 
tion  is  indebted  for  its  principles  of  liberty,  as  I  have 
said,  was  at  its  height,  the  settlement  of  Jamaica  was 
made.  The  storm  which  arose  during  the  reign  of 
James  L,  and  drove  the  first  companies  of  Puritans 
from  their  native  shore,  in  its  next  sweep  drove  his 
successor  from  the  throne,  and  prostrated  that  throne 


*  Letter  of  Burgomasters  to  W.  I.  Co.,  in  16G4,  in  Valentine's  Man.    ISGO. 
p.  592. 

t  Valentine's  Manual  for  1860.     Historical  Minutes,  &c. 
X  Letter  of  Dominie  Selyns.  §  Town  Records. 


22  HISTORY   OF   THE 

in  tlie  dust.  Tlie  attempt  of  Charles  and  Laud  to  force 
on  the  people  of  Scotland  the  English  liturgy,  gave  to 
England  her  liberty.  They  formed  the  celebrated  cov- 
enant to  maintain  their  ecclesiastical  rights  and  immu- 
nities, and  took  up  arms  against  the  king.  Civil  wars 
ensned,  which  ended  in  the  execution  of  Charles  and 
the  elevation  of  Cromwell  to  power.  Ten  years,  how- 
ever, had  not  elapsed,  when  the  sense  of  evils,  and  the 
fear  of  greater  ones  to  come,  brought  about  an  alliance 
between  the  Cavaliers  and  the  Presbyterians,  and  led 
to  the  restoration.  The  Presbyterians  occupied  a  mid- 
dle position  between  the  high  church  prelatic  party, 
who  aimed  to  restore  absolute  monarchy,  and  the  In- 
dependents and  other  sectaries,  who  would  have  des- 
troyed all  royal  authority.  A  new  parliament  met  at 
"Westminster,  in  which  the  Presbyterians  formed  the 
majority.  Charles  II.  was  invited  to  return,  and  was 
proclaimed  king  with  a  pomp  never  known  before. 
For  a  time  he  affected  to  treat,  perhaps  really  desired 
to  treat,  the  Presbyterian  clergy,  who  had  given  such 
proof  of  loyalty,  with  respect  and  kindness.  But  his 
councillors  and  ministers  were  bent  on  enforcing  the 
prelatic  system  by  the  strong  hand  of  power.  The 
ministers  in  Ireland  had  the  honorable  pre-eminence  of 
being  the  first  to  suffer  in  the  three  kingdoms.  Imme- 
diately after  the  restoration,  in  1661,  the  celebrated 
Jeremy  Taylor,  Bishop  of  Down  and  Connor,  under  a 
law  w^hich,  it  was  claimed,  the  restoration  brought 
again  into  force,  in  the  most  summary  manner  declared 
thirty-six  of  the  Presbyterian  churches  located  Avithin 
his  diocese,  vacant.  The  year  1662  was  perhaps  mem- 
orable beyond  any  other  in  the  history  of  the  Presby- 


PRESBYTEKIAN   CHIJECH,  JAMAICA.  23 

terian  Cliiircli.  In  that  year,  on  tlie  19th  of  May,  was 
passed  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  which  went  into  force  on 
the  24th  of  August,  by  which  two  thousand  Presbyter- 
ian ministers,  including  such  men  as  Baxter,  Bates  and 
Calamy  were  ejected  from  their  ecclesiastical  prefer- 
ments. In  October  of  the  same  year,  Charles  II.  gave 
orders  prohibiting  the  meeting  of  Synods,  Presbyteries 
and  Kirk  sessions,  and  establishing  prelacy  in  Scot- 
land. Sharp,  Lauderdale  and  Claverhouse  entered  on 
their  bloody  work.  On  a  monumental  stone  in  the 
Gray  friars  churchyard,  Edinburgh,  may  be  seen  an  in- 
scription, which  states,  that  between  1661  and  1688, 
1800  persons  are  computed  to  have  sufiered  death  for 
their  faith.  The  revolution  in  1688  was  important, 
not  so  much  for  the  overthrow  of  the  Stuarts  as  for 
rescuing  the  fundamental  laws  of  the  realm  from  their 
sad  and  long  perversion,  and  settling  the  principle 
that  the  king  has  no  divine  right  to  disregard  those 
fundamental  laws. 

But  observe,  as  may  be  done  at  this  distance  of  time, 
looking  back  on  the  map  of  the  past,  the  wonderful 
movements  of  Divine  Providence.  Whilst  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  was  struggling  for  its  very  existence 
in  fatherland,  and  all  the  power  of  the  State  was  em- 
ployed to  eradicate  it  from  the  soil,  a  little  seed  had 
been  wafted  to  these  shores,  and  was  sending  forth  a 
shoot  in  the  newly-cleared  wilderness  which  has  now 
grown  to  a  size  in  comparison  with  which  the  parent 
stock  is  like  one  of  the  lesser  trees  of  the  forest.  The 
tempest  which  in  1636  swept  the  Eagle  AV^ing,*  with 

*  See  Foote's  Sketches  of  North  Carolina,  pp.  lO-i-108. 


24  HISTOEY   OF   THE 

its  Presbyterian  colony,  under  tlie  lead  of  sucli  minis- 
ters as  John  Livingston,  Kobert  Blair,  James  Hamil- 
ton and  John  McClelland  back  to  Lockfergus,  and  the 
order  of  King  Charles  which  prohibited  the  departnre 
of  the  vessel  a  few  years  afterwards  on  a  similar  voyage, 
bore  back  and  detained  the  spirits  of  the  revolution  to 
do  a  work  in  Scotland,  Ireland,  England,  which  was 
necessary  to  be  done  before  the  way  could  be  prepared 
for  the  new  development  of  liberty  and  industry  in 
these  modern  times,  on  this  continent.  Well  has  it 
been  remarked  that 


"  PRINCIPLES,  NOT  MEN,  MUST  GOVERN  THE  WORLD 
UNDER  THE  PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD." 


;  • 


TRESBYTEEIAN    CHUECII    JAMAICA. 


CHAPTEE    II. 
1656-1670. 

SETTLEMENT   OF  JAMAICA  —  PETITIOX  —  LEAVE  GIVEN'  BY  GOVERXOR  AXD  COUN- 
CIL—  FIRST    ENTRY     IN     THE     RECORDS  —  DECLARATION   OF    PROPRIETORS  — 

TALL    TREES    TO    BE    SPARED  —  THE    TENTHS  —  YEMACAH SELLING    STRONG 

DRINK  TO  INDIANS  PROHIBITED  —  CARE  AS  TO  THB  CHARACTER  OF  SET- 
TLERS —  FIRST  MAGISTRATES  APPOINTED  —  EARLY  PREACHING  —  ARRANGE- 
MENTS FOR  A  MINISTER — A  MINISTER'S  HOUSE  TO  BE  BUILT  —  MR.  WALKER 
—  BEATING  THE    DRUM  ON   SABBATH   DAYS  —  AGREEMENT   WITH   MR.  WALKER 

MEETING-HOUSE    TO    BE     BUILT MR.    WALKER     REQUESTED    TO     PROCURE 

ORDINATION  —  REMOVES    TO    CONNECTICUT — HIS    DESCENDANTS  —  STYLE    OP 

DWELLINGS  —  FOOD  —  CATTLE  —  HABITS  —  INDUSTRY WOMAN  —  INCREASE 

IN  AVEALTH  —  COMPARATIVE  ESTATES  OF  INDIVIDUALS — DANIEL  DENTON  — 
HIS  HISTORY  —  SETTLEMENT  OF  ELIZABETHTOWN,  N.  J.  — SOCIAL  LIFE  OP 
THE  PEOPLE  —  SABBATH  AND  WORSHIP  —  DRESS  —  FUNERALS  —  THE  BURY- 
ING GROUND. 

JAMAICA  was  settled  during  the  administration  of 
Peter  Stujvesant.  The  leading  proprietors  came 
from  Hempstead,  which  had  been  settled  in  1644.  The 
petition  to  the  Governor  and  Council,  as  w^ill  be  seen 
below,  is  dated  10th  of  March,  1656,  whilst  the  first 
entry  in  the  Records  of  Jamaica  is  dated  18th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1656.  This  aj)parent  discrepancy  is  probably 
to  be  accounted  for  by  a  confusion  between  old  and 
new  style,  or  by  the  use  in  one  instance  of  the  new^ 
and  in  the  other  of  old  style.  The  year,  according  to 
old  style,  began  March  25th  till  1752.  The  Dutch 
Governor  and  Council  in  answering  the  petition,  and 
the  petitioners  in  addressing  them,  would  seem  to  make 
2 


26  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

use  of  new  style  regarding  the  year  as  having  com- 
menced in  January,  whilst  Mr.  Denton,  the  clerk  of 
Jamaica,  with  English  pertinacity,  adheres  to  old  style, 
regarding  it  as  having  commenced  March  25th,  and  of 
course  continuing  till  that  date.  Several  of  those  whose 
names  are  attached  to  the  petition,  viz :  Jackson,  Ire- 
land, Spragg  and  Carle  did  not  remove  to  Jamaica. 

To  THE  Right  Worsiiipfull  Peter  Steevesant,  Esquire,  Governor 
Gexerall  of  the  N".  Netherlands  with  the  Councell  of  State  there 
Established. 

The  humhle  petition  of  us  subscribed  shewetli  that 
where  as  wee  have  Twice  already  petitioned  see  are  bold 
once  againe  to  petition  un  to  your  worship  &  honourable 
Councell  for  a  j^lace  to  improve  our  Labours  upon  ;  for 
some  of  us  are  destitute  of  either  habitation  or  possession 
others  Though  inhabited  yett  finde  that  in  the  place  where 
they  are  they  cannot  comfortably  subsist  by  their  Labours 
&  endeavours.  By  which  means  tliey  are  necessitated  to 
Looke  out  for  a  place  where  they  may  hope  Avith  gods 
Blessing  upon  theyr  Labours  more  comfortably  to  subsist, 
The  place  they  desire  &  have  alreadie  petitioned  for  is 
called  Conorasset  &  Lies  from  a  river  which  divideth  it 
from  Conarie  see  to  the  Bounds  of  heemstead  &  may  con- 
taine  about  twentie  families  this  place  upon  incouragement 
from  your  Avorship  by  our  messenger  that  presented  our 
petition  sent  the  second  tyme  wee  have  purchased  from 
the  Indians  &  are  not  Avilling  to  Remove  out  of  the  jurisdic- 
tion iff  Avee  may  bee  toUerated  to  possesse  our  purchase  & 
whereas  we  are  desirous  To  settle  our  selves  this  spring 
wee  humbly  craA^e  that  this  place  may  bee  confirmed  unto 
us  with  as  much  expedition  as  may  be  soe  Avith  Appre- 
cation  of  all  happiness  to  your  Avorshi^J  and  honoured  Coun- 


PKESBYTERIAN   CHUKCH,  JAMAICA.  27 

cell  wee  humbly  take  our  leave  who  are  your  humble  pe- 
titioners. 

Heemstead  the  10th  of  March  1656. 

ROBERT    JACKSOX,  ABRAHAM    SMITH, 

NICHOLAS    TANXER,  THOMAS    IRELAND, 

NATHANIEL    DENTON,  THOMAS    CARLE, 

RICHARD    EVERIT,  EDWARD    SPRAG, 

RODGER    LINAS,  JOHN    ROADES, 

DANIEL    DENTON,  ANDREAV   MESSENGER, 

.   JOHN   LAZAR,  SAMUEL    MATHEWS. 

From  X.  Y.  Col.  MSS.  VI :  336,  337. 

[reply.]* 

On  the  preceding  Petition  is  it  ordered  as  follows  : 
The  Director  &  Council  having  seen  the  request  of  the 
petitioners,  at  present  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Heem- 
steede,  ct  subjects  of  this  Province,  do  consent  that  the  Pe- 
titioners may  begin  a  new  Town  according  to  their  plan  in 
this  respect,  between  the  land  by  us  called  Canaresse  & 
the  Town  Heemsteede,  on  such  Freedoms,  Exemptions  & 
special  ground  briefs  as  the  Inhabitants  of  N.  Netherland 
generally  enjoy,  as  well  in  the  possession  of  their  lands  as 
in  the  election  of  their  Magistrates,  on  the  same  footing 
&  order  as  is  customary  in  the  towns  Middelborch, 
Breuckelen,  Midwout  &  Amersfoort.  Done  at  Fort 
Amsterdam  in  l^ew  JSTetherland,  March  21,  1656. 

P.  STUYVESANT. 

N'lCAsius  de  Sille 
La  Montagne. 

Cor.  Yan  Tienhoven.  a.  R.  XII;  337,  339. 

Tlie  first  entry  in  the  records  of  Jamaica  is  in  these 
words : 

*  Translated  from  the  Dutch  Records,  by  E.  B.  O'Callaghan,  Esq. 


28  HISTORY    OF    THE 

A  town  meeting  held  at  y'  town  y^  18th  off  Feb., 
1656.* 

Daniell  Denton  chosen  to  write  &  enter  all  acts  & 
orders  off  public  concernment  to  y'  town,  &  is  to  have 
a  dale's  work  a  man  for  y^  sayd  employment. 

It  is  voted  and  concluded  by  y^  town  y'  w^hosoever  shall 
fell  any  trees  in  y^  highways  shall  take  both  top  &  body 
out  off  y^  highway. 

It  is  further  voted  &  agreed  upon  by  y^  town  y*  w^ho- 
soever  shall  kill  a  wolf  within  y'  bounds  off  y®  town,  shall 
have  fiveteen  shillings  a  wolff. 

Likewise  it  is  agreed  upon  by  y^  town  y*  whereas  they 

have   the  Little  plains  by  purchase  &  patent  w*  in  their 

limits,  to  maintain  their  right  &  priviledge   in  y*"  sayd 

place  from  any  such  as  shall  goe  to  deprive  y""  off  it,  & 

so  to  make  use  off  it  as  they  shall  see  cause. 

Records  I.  p.  1. 

MEMORAXDUM. 

The  town  have  given  Mr.  Robert  Coe  &  his  son,  Ben- 
jamin Coe,  each  off  y'"  a  home  lot. 

The  town  have  alsoe  given  Nicolas  Tanner,  Abraham 
Smith,  John  Lazar,  Samuel  Smith,  Morace  Smith,  & 
William  Thorne,  each  off  y""  a  house  lot  lying  upon  y*  west 
quarter. 

The  town  have   granted  Andrew   Messenger,   Samuel 

Mathews,  Thomas  Wiggins,  Richard  Chasmore,  Richard 

Harkert,    Richard    Everet,    Henry   Townsend,    Richard 

Townsend,  John  Townsend  &  John  Roades,  each  off  y"" 

a  house  lot  lying  upon  y"  north  quarter. 

Records  I.  p.  1. 

*  New  style,  March  1st,  1657.  By  au  act  of  Parliament  in  1752,  the 
Gregorian  reformation  of  the  calendar  was  adopted.  The  eleven  days  ex- 
cess was  suppressed  in  September  of  that  year,  and  the  beginning  of  the 
year  transferred  from  the  25th  of  March  to  January  1. 


PKESBYTERIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  29 

To  Sam'l  Dein,  Nath.  Denton,  Geo.  Mills,  Rodger  Linas, 
Dan'I  Denton  &  Sam'l  Andrews  each  a  house  lot  on  y® 
South  quarter.  Records  I.  p.  2. 

KovEisfBEii  y  25th,  1656,  Stylo  Novo.* 
These  presents  declareth  y'  wee  whose  names  are  under- 
written, being  true  owners,  by  vertue  off  purchase  from 
y^  Indians  &  grant  from  y^  Governor  &  Council  given 
&  granted  y^  21st  of  March,  1656,  I  say  wee,  who  are  y® 
true  owners  by  vertue  of  j^urchase,  &  our  associates,  our 
names  being  underwritten,  living  at  y^  new  plantation 
near  unto  y^  bever  pond,  comonly  called  Jemaica,  I  say 
wee  in  consideration  of  our  charge  &  trouble  in  getting 
&  settling  off  y^  place,  have  reserved  unto  ourselves  y^  full 
&  just  sum  off  ten  acres  off  planting  land  a  man,  besides 
y^  home  lots  in  y"  nearest  &  convenientest  place  y*  can 
be  found,  &  soe  likewise  20  acres  of  medowing  *  * 
every  man  taking  his  lot  according  to  their  first  right. 
Witness  our  hands  this  day  &  date  above  written. 

ROBERT  COE,  RODGER  LINAS,  RICH.  TOWNSEND, 

]SriC.   TANNER,  SAMUEL  MATHEVTS,  RI.  HARKERT, 

NAT.  DENTON,  JOHN  LAZAR.  RI.  CHASMORE, 

AND.  MESSENGER,  RICHARD   EVERET,  GEO.  MILLS, 

DANIELL  DENTON,  JOHN  TOWNSEND,  JOHN  ROADES, 

ABRA.  SMITH,  HEN.  TOWNSEND, 

Records  I.,  p,  2. 

Jan.  13th,  1657.  It  is  this  day  granted  by  y^  town 
that  Mr.  Robert  Coe  &  his  son  Beniamen  shall  take  up, 
possesse  &  enioy  ten  acres  off  land  a  piece  at  y^  rear  off 
their  home  lots. 

*  New  style  is  here  designated.  This  probably  is  an  earlier  date  than 
"ye  ISth  off  Feb.  1656,"  the  latter  being  old  style.  After  the  first  town 
meeting  the  document  was  copied  for  preservation,  &  sfi/lo  novo  added  to 
explain  the  seeming  discrepancy.  "Washington  was  born  Feb.  11th,  1731, 
old  style,  but  on  Feb.  22d,  1732,  new  style. 


30  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Feb.  27,  1658.  It  is  agreed  upon  by  the  towne  y*  ac- 
cording to  a  former  order  y*  y®  first  proprietors  &  there 
associates  shall  have  ten  acres  off  planting  land  a  piece  in 
y®  most  convenient  place  w'^^  they  shall  chuse,  so  y'  y*"  shall 
now  vew  &  have  their  lots  layd  out  according  to  y®  sayd 
order. 

Theese  men  folio  win  o;  doe  conclude  to  have  there 
lots  eastward,  John  Townsend,  Rich.  Townsend,  Henry 
Townsend,  John  Roades,  Nathaniel  Denton,  Daniel  Den- 
ton, Richard  Everet,  Richard  Harkert,  George  Mills. 

These  men  following  take  up  y**"^*  ten  acre  lots  westward, 
Nicholas  Tanner,  Andrew  Messenger,  Samuel  Mathews, 
John  Lazar,  Richard  Chasmore,  Abraham  Smith,  Rodger 
Linas. 

Richard  Townsend  and  Nicolas  Tanner  are  chosen  to 
lay  out  the  ten  acre  lots,  &  to  have  2d  an  acre  for  y''® 
labour. 

It  is  voted  &  agreed  upon  by  y  town  y*  Daniel  Den- 
ton shall  bee  town  dark  for  y^  ensuing  year,  &  to  have 
of  some  30  st.*  and  of  others  a  gilder. 

Heny  Townsend,  Richard  Townsend,  and  Daniel  Den- 
ton have  each  of  y"  a  ten  acre  lot  lying  to  y^  northward 
off  y^  way  y^  goes  to  Hemstead  on  y^  side  y"  Rocky  Hol- 
low next  adioining  to  y®  home  lots  upon  y^  north  east  quar- 
ter. Heny  Townsend  lying  y^  first  &  next  adioining  to 
y^  north  east  quarter,  Daniel  Denton  y*  next,  &  Richard 
Townsends  y^  3d  &  east  off  y^  three. 

These  ten  acre  lots  above  speciffied  are  given  and  grant- 
ed to  y*  afforesayd  men  by  y^  town,  and  layd  out  accord- 
ing to  order.  Records  I.  pp.  5,  6. 

Nov.  y'  2 2d,  1658.  A  town  meeting  called,  &  agreed, 
&  concluded  upon  by  the  town  that  y'  medows  shall  bee 
layd  out  for  the  purchasers,  17  lots,  20  acres  a  lot.    Rich- 

*  St.— stivers. 


PEESBYTEKIAN    CHUKCII,  JAMAICA.  31 

arc!  Everet,  Rodger  Liiias,  Richard  Harker,  and  John  La- 
zar  chosen  to  lay  out  y*^  medow,  &  have  3d  an  acre  for 
their  labor.  Records  I.  p.  4. 


In  the  deed  of  23nrcliase  obtained  from  the  Indians 
are  the  following  singular  words  :  "One  thing  to  be 
remembered,  that  noe  person  is  to  cut  downe  any  trees 
wherein  Eagles  doe  make  their  nests."  The  tribes  on 
this  part  of  the  island  had  been  subdued  in  the  fierce 
and  cruel  wars  under  Captain  Underbill,  Ensign  Op- 
dyke,  and  Peter  Cock;  and  the  occupation  of  their 
lands,  purchased  for  some  trifling  consideration,  was 
nndisputed.  The  Dutch  government,  in  its  "  ground- 
briefs,"  claimed  of  the  inhabitants  of  ]N"ew  ^Netherlands 
"  tlie  tenth  part  of  all  the  revenue  that  shall  arise  from 
tlie  ground  manured  with  the  plow  and  hoe,  in  case  it 
be  demanded  before  it  be  housed,  gardens  and  orchards 
not  exceeding  one  Holland  acre  excepted."'^ 

The  name  given  to  this  town  by  the  original  settlers 
was  Jernaica,  evidently  derived  from  Yemacah,  (so 
w^ritten  in  the  Town  Records  and  not  Jemeco  as  by 
Thompson,)  the  name  of  a  branch,  or  a  few  families,  of 
the  Rockewa  tribe  of  Indians,  who  resided  along  the 
small  stream,  running  from  Beaver  Pond,  and  at  the 
head  of  the  bay.  The  Dutch  government  conferred 
on  the  settlement  the  name  of  Rusdorp,  which  occurs 
frequently  in  the  early  records,  and  was  probably  used 
exclusively  in  conveyances  of  property.  After  the  sur- 
render of  the  colony  to  the  English,  Jamaica  soon  came 
to  be  exclusively  used. 

*  Thompsou,  II.,  6. 


32  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

30th.   It  is  y'  day  voted,  ordered  and  agreed 

upon  by  this  town  of  Rustdorj),  that  no  person  or  persons 
whatsoever,  within  this  town,  shall  sell  or  give  directly  or 
indirectly,  to  any  Indian  or  Indians  whatsoever,  within 
or  about  y®  said  town,  any  strong  licker  or  strong  drinke 
whatsoever  or  of  what  sort  soever,  either  much  or  little, 
more  or  less,  upon  the  forffeiture  off  fifty  Guilders  [nearly 
twenty  dollars]  for  every  ofl:ence. 

Jan.  21st,  1659.  One  Benjamin  Hubard,  who  had  bought 
a  house-lot,  without  the  approbation  or  Ivuowledge  of  the 
town,  was  required  to  bind  himself  "  to  behave  so  in  the 
town  y*  he  no  waies  prejudice  his  neighbours,  by  any  un- 
lawful or  bad  courses ;  and  y®  said  Benjamin  doth  engage 
himself  iff  he  shall  fullfill  not  all  and  every  j^articular  in  y 
premises,  to   surrender  up  his  lot  again  to    the   town." 

Records  T.  p.  6. 

Town  made  choice  of  Four  men  to  be  presented  for 
magistrates  to  y*  Governor,  viz  : 

Mr.  Coe,  Rich.  Everet,  Samuell  MatheAVS  and  Luke 
Watson. 

Nath'l  Denton  to  present  y'"  to  y®  Governor  Aug.  6,  1659. 

Sep.  9th,  1659.  Sam'l  Mathews,  John  Townsend  & 
Ben.  Coe,  chosen  assistants  for  a  Court  for  this  yeare. 

Records  I.  p.  8. 

The  inhabitants  early  manifested  a  desire  to  have  a 
ininister  of  the  Gospel  settled  among  them.  Tlie  min- 
ister of  Hemj)stead  no  doubt  often  visited,  and  preach- 
ed to  them.  Dominie  Drisius,  one  of  the  Dutch 
ministers  of  Kew  York,  j)reached  at  Jamaica,  January 
8,  1661,  "  to  correct  the  irregularities  of  Quakers  and 
other  Itinerant  fanatics."^   It  is  quite  certain  that  pub- 

*  Mr.  Onderdonk's  MS  Notes. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  33 

lie  worship  was  regularly  established  as  early  at  least 
as  1662. 

Wee  whose  names  are  underwritten  doe  by  these  pre- 
sents 23romise  &  engage  that  if  any  meeting  or  conventi- 
cles of  quakers,  shall  bee  in  this  town  of  Rustdorp,  then 
we  will  give  information  to  y^  authority  set  up  in  this  place 
by  the  Governor,  and  alsoe  assist  the  authority  of  the 
town  against  any  such  person  or  persons  called  quakers, 
as  need  shall  require.  Witness  our  hands  this  11th  day  of 
February,  1661.     Stylo  novo. 

RICHARD    EVERITT,  ANDREW   MESSENGER, 

NATH.    DENTON,  BENIEMEN    COE, 

ABRA.    SMITH,  GEORGE    MILLS, 

SAMUEL   MATHEWS,  WILLIAM    FOSTER. 

[The  rest  of  the  names  are  illegible,  it  being  the  last  page 

of  the  1st  vol.]  Records,  I.  p.  120. 

62,  March  j"  6th.  The  town  doe  give  Abraham  Smith  305 
ffor  beating  y''  drum  a  year. 

It  is  ordered  by  y*'  town  y'  y^  rates  ffor  y^  minester  shall 
bee  leavied  upon  medowes  ffor  y''  minester. 

Records  p.  14,  vol.  I. 

It  is  ffiirther  ordered  &  agreed  by  y"  town  y*  y^  town,9- 
meii  [torn  off  in  the  original]  shall  look  affter  y^  procuring 
off  a  minester.  Records  p.  15. 

March  y^  13th,  62.  It  is  ordered  y*  those  w"""  doe  not 
appear  at  y^  beating  off  y''  drum  y'  day  &  goe  to  burn  y* 
woods,  shall  pay  25.  6d.  to  those  w'^''  goe. 

It  is  further  ordered  by  y^  town  to  build  a  house  ffor  y® 
minester  off  36  ffoot  long. 

It  is  ordered  and  agreed  by  y^  town  y'  John  Baylie  shall 
keep  an  Ordinary  in  y^  town  of  Rusdorp,  for  y*  entertain- 
ing of  strangers,  and  also  to  sell  drink,  and  that  noe  man 
shall  have  liberty  to  sell  drink,  whether  beer  or  liquors,  or 
any  sort  of  wine,  within  this  town  only  the  Ordinary 
2* 


34:  .  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

keeper  aforesaid,  and  y*  he  shall  forthwith  set  upon  y®  work 
to  provide  for  strangers,  and  to  give  entertainment  to  such 
■Strangers  as  shall  come.  Records  I.  p.  15. 

Aprill  y^  11th  62.  It  is  y'  day  ordered  by  y^  town  y'  A 
minester's  house  shall  bee  built,  26  foot  long  &  17  foot 
wide  according  as  is  agreed  by  covenant  betwixt  y^  town 
&  Andrew  Messenger  &  his  Son,  Richard  Darling,  who 
have  taken  y®  building  of  y®  house  of  y®  tow^n  and  are  to 
pay  twentie-three  pounds  in  bever  pay  y*  is  to  say,  wheat, 
at  sixe  shillings,  &  indian  corn  at  three  shillings  sixe 
pence  y^  bushell ;  to  bee  payd  after  y^  work  is  done  as 
soon  as  y^  corn  is  merchantable  &  y^  town  doe  ingage 
every  man  to  pay  &  bring  in  what  shall  come  to  their 
shares,  at  such  time  &  to  such  place  as  y®  [it]  shall  be 
appointed  within  y^  town  of  Rustdorp. 

Goodman  Messenger  hath  promised  to  take  Sam.  Mills 
his  rate  for  y®  minester's  house,  in  indian  corn. 

Records  I.  p.  16, 

April  y"  11th  1662.  Articles  of  agreement  concluded 
&  agreed  upon  betwixt  the  town  of  Rusdorj)  on  y^  one 
party  and  Andrew  Messenger  and  his  son  Richard  Darling 
on  v^  other. 

The  town  have  hired  y^  aforesayd  Andrew  Messenger, 
&  Richard  Darling  to  build  a  house  for  y^  Minister  of 
twentie-six  feet  long  &  scaventeen  foot  broad  to  bee  ten 
foot  high  in  y*"  stood  [stud]  betwixt  ioint  and  ioint  y''  house 
to  bee  well  claboarded  y*"  sides  &  ends,  y^  roof  to  bee 
well  &  sufficiently  shingled  w'  three  foot  shingle ;  two 
chimnies  to  bee  made  in  y^  house,  one  belowe  for  a  lower 
room  &  another  for  y^  chamber.  Two  floores  of  ioice  & 
boards  to  be  layd  one  above  in  y*"  chamber  thoroughout  y^ 
house  &  another  under  foot :  to  bee  well  iointed  &  suffi- 
ciently layed  above  &  below ;  a  partition  to  bee  made 
handsomely  &  well  smoothed  & alsoe  a  payr  of 


PKESBTTEKIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  35 

stears,  well  &  stronglie  made  to  goe  into  y^  chamber  w* 
an  outward  door  &  inward  door,  &  a  door  into  y"  cham- 
ber, the  chimnies  alsoe  to  bee  well  slatted.  Three  windowes, 
large  &>  handsome,  two  below  &  one  above,  the  timber 
all  to  bee  such  as  may  be  iudged  sufficient  by  workmen 
w*  ground  sills  &  good  girts,  cross  y^  house  to  lay  ioice  ; 
y*  house  thorout  to  bee  well  and  sufficiently  braced :  this 
house  is  to  bee  done  by  y^  midle  of  August  next  ensuing. 
The  town  are  to  provide  y"'  w*  nailes  and  hinges,  & 
also  claboard  &  shingles,  &  sawn  boards  for  y*"  inward 
work ;  likewise  y'  town  shall  cart  all  y®  timber  or  other 
stuff  needfid  for  y^  sayd  house.  In  consideration  of  y^ 
premises  y'  town  are  to  give  y®  sayd  Andrew  Messenger, 
&  Richard  Darling,  y^  full  sum  of  twentie  three  pounds, 
after  ye*"  English  account  to  bee  payd  in  wheat  &  Indian 
corn ;  wheat  at  six  shillings  y®  bushel,  &  Indian  corn,  at 
three  shillings  six-pence  ;  to  be  payd  at  Christmas  next,  or 
as  soon  as  it  is  merchantable ;  to  bee  payd  in  as  many 
bushells  of  wheat  as  Indian  corn :  y*  y^  is  our  act,  we  tes- 
tifie  by  subscribing  our  hands  y^  day  &  date  above  written. 

Andrew  Messenger, 
Richard  Darling. 
Subscribed  before  Daniel  Denton.  Records  I.  p.  17. 

May  y^  11th,  1662.  A  town  meeting  called;  agreed 
upon  with  Goodman  Baylie,  &  Samuel  Smith  to  get  stones 
for  y**  minester's  house  enough  to  make  a  back  for  the 
chimnies  &  harths  &  ovens,  good  &  sufficient  stone  for  y* 
work,  as  y®  place  Avill  afford  to  bee  got  &  brought  in  place 
by  this  time  six  weeks :  they  are  to  have  forty  shillings 
for  y^  sayd  work  : 

Goodman  Messenger  &  his  son  Richard  Darling  are 
to  get  the  shingles  for  the  minesters  house  and  to  have 
half  a  crown  a  hundred  for  y''  shingles  the  shingles  to  be 


36  HISTORY   OF   THE 

three  foot  long  &  not  above  six  incbes  broad  ^v*  y^  sap 
hewd  out :  al  y^  money  above  written  to  bee  payd  in  ye 
same  pay  y'  y^  carpenters  have,  or  at  y^  same  prices 

Records  I.  p.  18. 

August  y^  9  th. 

Henry  Whitney  and  Ric.  Everet  de^^uted  to  lay  out 
some  of  y^  touns  money  in  Mr.  Coe's  hands  and  alsoe 
some  in  y^  sayd  everets  hands  to  buy  boards  for  y^  min- 
esters  house  &  lime  &  to  hire  a  mason :  if  need  require. 

Records  I.  p.  18. 

Tliey  evidently  set  a  high  value  on  the  gospel,  not 
delaying  until  some  missionary,  by  foreign  aid,  should 
find  his  way  among  them,  to  labor  single-handed,  in 
the  midst  of  the  indifferent,  or  opposers,  but  preparing 
the  way  for  a  minister,  by  furnishing  the  means  of 
giving  him  a  welcome  reception.  Can  we  wonder  that 
God  has  so  signally  blessed  an  enterprise  which  was 
begun  in  such  a  spirit  ?  May  such  men  never  want 
w^orthy  successors,  w^ho,  when  the  interests  of  religion 
demand  it,  shall  be  ready,  "  every  man  to  pay  and 
bring  in  what  shall  come  to  their  shares  "  of  any  ne- 
cessary expense ! 

December  20th,  1662.  The  town  appointed  a  com- 
mittee of  five  men  to  "  make  the  rate  for  the  minister's 
house,  and  transporting  the  minister ;"  from  which  it 
appears  that  a  minister  had  now  been  engaged  to  set- 
tle at  Jamaica.  And  under  date  of  February  14th, 
1663,  seven  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  town, 
appears  for  the  first  time  in  the  records,  the  name  of 
the  first  minister  of  this  place, 

ZECHARIAH  WALKER. 
December  y°  20th  1662.     A  town  meetmg  called : 


PKESBTTEKIAN    CIIUKCH,  JAMAICA.  37 

The  town  have  voted  &  concluded  &  agreed  upon  y* 
these  five  namely  Mr.  Coe  Goodman  Benedick  Goodman 
Smith  Goodman  BayHe  &  Daniel  Denton  shall  make  y^  rate 
for  y''  minesters  house,  &  transporting  y*  minester.  Good- 
man Baylie  refusing  y*  toun  have  chose  Luke  Watson. 

Records  I.  p.  20. 

January  y"  12th,  62. 

A  town  meeting  called :  voted  &  agreed  upon  by  y* 
town  y'  y*  rate  for  y®  minesters  house  shall  be  leavied  upon 

medoWS  &  home  lottS.  Records  I.  p.  20. 

January  y*  29th,  1663. 

It  is  voted  by  y*  town  y'  Abraham  Smith  shall  have 
thirty  shillings  a  year  for  beating  y^  drum  upon  Sabbath 
days  &  other  publike  meetings  dales,  &  to  have  his  pay  in 
tobacco  pay  or  wheat  at  Qs  &  8d  &  Indian  at  45. 

Records  I.  p.  2(3. 

February  y^  14th,  1663.  A  toAvn  meeting  called : 
Voted  &  agreed  upon  by  y^  town  y*  Goodman  Bene- 
dick and  Nathaniel  Denton  shall  be  overseers  in  behalf  of 
y^  town  to  sujiply  Mr.  Walker's  wants  w'  what  hee  shall 
stand  in  need  of  according  as  y^  town  shall  agree  to  make 
a  supply  :  and  to  appoint  men  as  their  turns  come  to  bring 
in  Avhat  shall  bee  needfull  in  y*  premises,  as  need  shall  re- 
quire : 

Voted  by  y^  toun  at  what  rate  or  price  Mr.  Walkers 
maintenance  shall  bee  payd  in :  concluded  y*  hee  shall  have 
three  score  pounds  per  annum ;  y*  it  shall  bee  payd  by  rate 
y^  rates  to  bee  leavied  upon  lands  &  estates :  that  is  to 
bee  payd  in  corn :  y^  Avheat  to  be  payd  at  six  shillings  a 

bushell  and  indean  at  three  shillings  six-pence  bushell. 

Records  p.  21. 
February  14th,  1663.      It  is  voted  by  y*  town  y'  Mr.  Coe 
and  Goodman  Benedick  and  Daniel  Denton  shall  make  a 
rate  for  Mr.  Walkers  maintenance. 

Records  I.  p.  22. 


"38  HISTOEY    OF   THE 

March  y®  2d,  16G3.  Wee  whose  names  are  underwritten 
doe  by  these  presents  give  unto  Mr.  Walker  his  heirs  or 
Assignes  y®  house  &  home  lot  y*  hee  lives  in  w*  y"  ac- 
commodations belonging  to  it,  upon  y'  previso  y*  iff  hee 
goe  away  and  leave  y^  town  w*  out  any  just  grounds  or 
cause  given  by  y''  town  y*  y"  y®  town  shall  have  y^  reffusall 
of  it  paying  for  such  labours  as  hee  hath  or  shall  expend 
upon  it  &  it  shall  return  again  to  y^  town :  but  iff  y^ 
town  shall  act  soe  y*  they  bee  y®  cause  off  his  going  away 
y"  y^  lot  to  remain  as  his  and  his  heirs  onely  y^  town  to 
have  y^  reffusal  off  it  to  buy  it  for  what  it  shall  be  worth 
&  iff  it  happen  y*  y^  sayd  Mr.  Walker  should  die  y"  his 
wife  shall  let  y^  town  have  y^  reffusall  off  it  iff  she  shall 
sell  it. 

ROBERT  COE,  KODGER    LINAS, 

JOHX     STICLAX,  JOHN    HINDS, 

THOMAS    BENEDICK,  BENIAMIN    COE, 


ANDREW    MESSENGER,  WILLIAM    SMITH 


DANIEL  DENTON,  JOSEPH    THURSTON 


JOHN    BAYLIES,  NATHANIELL  DENTON, 

THOMAS  FOSTER,  SAMUELL    SMITH, 

RICHARD  EVERETT,  W^ILLIAM   BRINKLY, 

EDWARD  ROUSE,  JOHN    RODES, 

JOHN  SKIDMORE,  WILLIAM    FOSTER, 

HENRY    WHITNEY,  GEORG    CUMjXINS. 
ABRAHAM    SMITH, 
SAMUELL  MATHEWS,  Eocords  I.  p.  25. 

The  above  twenty-four  names  include,  it  is  probable, 
the  wdiole  number  of  freeholders  in  the  town  at  the 
time.  From  the  foregoing  extracts  it  appears  that  Mr. 
Walker's  salary  was  £60  per  annum,  with  the  use  of  a 
house  and  a  home  lot,  to  be  his  in  fee-simple  if  he  re- 
mained as  minister  of  the  town,  or  if  the  town  should 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  39 


SO  act  as  to  be  the  cause  of  his  going  away.  In  raising 
this  generous  support,  so  much  beyond  what  many  in- 
fant churches  at  the  present  day,  especially  in  new  set- 
tlements, feel  themselves  able  to  do,  every  inhabitant 
contributed  his  due  proportion. 

Mr.  Walker  was  a  young  man  about  twenty-five 
years  of  age,  and  preached  at  Jamaica  as  a  licentiate. 
Mr.  Wood  says  he  probably  came  from  England,  and 
Mr.  Crane,  in  his  MS.  history  of  this  church,  adds  that 
he  probably  came  from  England  before  he  was  ordain- 
ed, but  as  a  licentiate.  Mr.  Thompcon,  however,  as- 
serts that  he  was  a  native  of  Boston,  and  was  the  son 
of  Robert  Walker,  who  was  made  a  freeman  at  that 
place  in  1634,  Avhere  Zechariah  was  born  in  1637. 

August  y'  30th  1663.  A  town  meeting  called  voted 
&  agreed  upon  by  y*  town  y*^  A  meeting  house  shall  bee 
built  twentie-six  foot  square,  &  that  Mr.  Coe  &  Ralph 
Keeler  shall  agree  to  George  I^orton  for  y''  building  off  it. 

Records  I.  p.  27. 

December  yMst  1663  Old  Style  : 

Further  voted  y^  Francis  Finch  and  Abraham  Smith 
shall  bring  in  an  account  of  men's  estates  as  soon  as  may 
bee,  y*  a  rate  may  be  made  for  y^  minester. 

Records  I.  p.  28. 

December  y*  3de,  '63.  Further  voted  and  concluded 
upon  y*  all  y^  inhabitants  of  this  our  town  shall  pay  to- 
wards y"  maintenance  of  y®  minestry  according  to  what  y^ 

possesse.  Records  I.  p.  29. 

Feb.  y'  27th  '63.  Further  voted  y'  Samuel  Mathews 
&  Joseph  Smith  shall  succeed  Thomas  Benedick  & 
Nath :  Denton  in  gathering  up  &  looking  affter  to  supply 
Mr.  Walker  w'  such  things  as  hee  shall  stand  in  need  off. 

Records  I.  p.  32. 


4:0  HISTORY    OF    THE 

December  y  13th  1664.  Joseph  Thurstone  &  John 
Heins  apomted  to  gather  up  an  acount  of  men's  estates  for 
Mr.  Walker's  rate : 

Thomas  Benedick  Senior  &  Daniel  Denton  shall  make  a 
rate  for  y"  minester  Records  I.  p.  32 

Att  a  tonne  meeting  the  4th  of  September  1665  itt 
was  Agreed  that  Mr.  Walker  shall  have  three  score  ponds 
a  yeare  well  &  truly  payd  in  corn  at  prise  currant  or 
other  pay  equivolent  and  this  to  be  ccarfully  gathered  & 
payd  in  to  Mr.  Zacharah  Walker  yearly  within  the  moneth 
of  December  evary  yeare  Deuring  the  time  of  Mr.  Walkers 
aboode  &  exarcising  his  giwfts  amoungst  us  as  before 
as  likewise  for  his  farther  in  curidgement  the  town  doth 
ao"ree  to  cut  &  drawe  all  the  wood  hee  spends  to  till  his 
ground  et  harvest  his  corn,  besides  the  three  score  ponds 

Above  mentioned *  it  is  farther  to  be  understod  that 

Mr.  Walker  is  to  take  his  whete  at  5  shilling  pr  bushells 
and  other  pay  equifolent,  as  likewise  for  the  tiladge  of  his 
ground  it  is  to  be  miderstood  that  ground  only  y*  Mr. 
Walker  hath  now  broke  up.  Records  I.  p.  40. 

March  y'  12th  1666-  At  a  town  meeting  fully  agreed 
upon  that  Mr.  Walker  shall  have  in  liew  off  what  is  above 
written,  sixtie-five  pounds  p.  annum  to  bee  payd  as  is 
above  Avriten  in  wheat  at  five  shilUngs  p.  bushell  provided 
Mr.  Walker  does  engage  to  continue  w*  us  from  year  to 
year  &  also  procure  an  ordination  answerable  to  the  y^ 
law  whereby  hee  does  not  only  capacitate  himself  for  y" 
preaching  off  y^  word  but  for  y"  baptizing  off  infants :  & 
so  y®  above  written  order  for  tilling  off  land  &  y^  like  to 
bee  rendered  null  :*  at  a  town  meeting  off  y"  constable  & 
overseers  agreed  upon  y*  Mr.  Coe  shall  have  the  five 
pounds  mentioned  in  y^  next  above  written  agreement  & 
in  lew  thereoff  shall  doe  y*'  work  mentioned  in  y''  agree- 
*  What  follows  is  in  diflferent  ink  and  hand  and  at  another  time. 


PEESBYTERIAN    CHUKCH,  JAMAICA.  41 

ment  to  Mr.  Walker  uppermost  written  according  as  is 
there  exprest.  Robc/rt  Coe  Geo  Woolsey  AYilliam  Rescoe 
Daniel  Denton  Beniamin  Coe  Andrew  Mesinger  John 
Foster  Samuel  Smith  John  Roads  Joseph  Smith 

Records  I.  p.  40. 

This  proposal,  that  he  should  procure  ordination,  as 
it  shows  a  solicitude  to  enjoy  the  ordinances  of  the 
gospel,  and  particularly  recognizes  the  duty  of  dedicat- 
ing their  offspring  to  God  in  baptism,  sj)ealvs  volumes 
in  favour  of  the  piety  of  the  first  inhabitants.  He  did 
not,  it  would  seem,  obtain  ordination  agreeably  to  the 
Welshes  of  the  tow^n,  for  he  took  his  departure  from  Ja- 
maica shortly  after,  in  consequence,  as  is  evident,  of 
the  strong  desire  of  the  people  to  have  an  ordained 
minister.  On  the  Ytli  of  August,  1668,  the  town  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  make  a  final  settlement  with 
him.  This  committee  was  directed  to  pay  him  for  the 
improvements  he  had  made  on  the  parsonage  and 
glebe,  from  wdiicli  it  is  evident,  according  to  the  terms 
of  the  agreement  made  March  2d,  1663,  that  his  de- 
parture was  not  from  any  occasion  given  by  the  people. 

He  went  to  Stratford,  Conn.,  where  he  received 
ordination,  but  removed  to  Woodbury  in  1678,  of 
which  place  he  was  the  first  minister,  and  where  he 
died,  January,  1699,  aged  sixty-two.  Robert  Walker, 
who  was  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Connecticut, 
is  said  by  Thompson  to  have  been  his  son,  and  Gen.  Jo- 
seph Walker,  an  ofiicer  of  the  Revolution,  his  grandson. 

It  is  quite  certain  that  there  was  no  church  regularly 
constituted  during  Mr.  Walker's  residence  in  Jamaica. 

february  23   Anno  1666   It  was  agreed  that  Abraham 


42  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Smith  shall  hanfe  thirtie  schelinges  a  year  for  bethig  of 
the  drum  of  the  Sabbath  day  this  to  be  paid  by  the  town 
in  generall  his  time  to  begin  from  the  date  heirof  this  was 
agreed  upon  by  a  full  town  meeting.  Records  I.  p.  42. 

the  7  of  auo-ust  1668  At  a  tound  meetins;  the  tound 
have  chosen  John  Foster  nathaniel  Denton  mister  waters 
&  John  Ouldfield  &  given  them  full  power  to  agre  with 
Mr  Walker  consarniiig  the  price  that  the  tound  shall  give 
mister  walker  for  the  land  that  he  has  noAV  in  posetion  or 
the  price  onle  for  the  labors  that  he  has  bestowed  upon  the 
land  which  they  shall  judg  just  &  equall  &  if  tlies  men 
above  mentioned  &  mister  walker  can  not  agre  they  have 
liberty  to  chouse  2  men  of  another  tound  mister  walker  on 
&  thay  a  nother  to  judg  the  price  of  the  land  &  labors  or 
onle  the  labors  as  mister  walker  &  thes  fo*ir  men  shall 

agre 

By  me  John  Skidmore  Clark 

Records  I.  p.  45. 

the  14  of  September  1668 

At  a  tound  meting  the  tound  have  voted  &  concluded 
to  take  the  Best  &  j^i'i^iflents  corse  as  may  be  for  the 
procuring  of  a  minister  as  sone  as  convenient  time  wiU 
permit  Records  I.  p.  46. 

How  very  humble  an  aspect  this  place  must  have 
presented  two  hundred  years  ago  !  A  cluster  of  houses 
in  the  wilderness,  the  greater  part  of  them  built  of 
logs,  and  roofed  with  thatch  from  the  marshes  !  Let  us, 
in  imagination,  enter  one  of  them.  We  find,  perhaps, 
two  ceiled  or  covered  rooms  below,  with  lofts  above 
for  chambers,  and  a  lean-to  kitchen,  uncoiled  and  open 
to  the  roof.  We  find  in  them  no  luxurious  furniture 
such  as  fills  our  dwellings.     On  their  tables  are  a  few 


PEESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,  JAI^IAICA.  43 


pewter  dishes  and  spoons,  with  wooden  bowls  and 
trenchers.  For  food  they  do  not  lack  venison  and  fish, 
bnt  bread  is  scarce ;  even  the  crusts  of  their  fathers' 
tables  in  old  England  would  have  been  esteemed  a 
luxmy.  It  often  consisted  of  little  more  than  meal 
and  water  and  salt,  boiled  to  the  consistency  of  pud- 
ding. Their  dinner  was  of  boiled  Indian  pudding, 
boiled  Indian  corn  mixed  with  beans,  with  a  slice  of 
salted  venison,  with  boiled  cabbage,  baked  or  boiled 
pumpkin,  brown  bread  and  cider,  or  home-brewed 
beer.  At  breakfast  and  supper  milk  or  pea-porridge 
took  the  place  of  tea  and  coffee.  Cooking  which  re- 
quired sugar  was  too  expensive  for  our  early  ancestors. 
They  felt  greatly  the  want  of  cattle,  swine  and  sheep. 
The  few  they  had  were  by  day  committed  to  herds- 
men* and  nightly  brought  to  strong  enclosures  of  logs 
within  the  settlement,  and  put  under  the  care  of  watch- 
dogs for  security  against  wild  beasts  and  depredations 
of  the  savages  that  still  roamed  the  forest.  They  rise 
early  (in  the  winter  before  the  dawn)  and  enter  on  the 
duties  of  the  day.  Family  worship  and  breakfast  over 
they  are  in  summer  in  the  field  by  six  o'clock.  A 
gun  is  carried  along  with  the  implements  of  husbandry, 
not  so  much  through  fear  of  the  Indians  as  that  they 
may  be  prepared,  should  a  wolf,  or  bear,  or  deer  be  dis- 
covered while  at  their  toil.  Their  dress  was  fitted  to 
their  work.  The  father  w^ore  an  old  three-cornered 
hat,  no  cravat,  short  frock  of  strongest  warp,  leather 
breeches  and  leggins  confined  above  the  knee  and  tied 
over  the  shoe  like  a  buskin.     The  boys  w^ore  close-fit- 

*  Paid  12s.  a  week. 


44  HISTORY    OF   THE 

ting  caps  of  home  manufacture,  short  jackets  of  the 
coarsest  fabric,  with  leather  breeches  and  leggins.  The 
duties  of  the  women  were  more  onerous  than  those  of 
the  men.  Whether  sick  or  well,  the  baking,  cooking, 
washing,  ironing  and  clothes  making  and  mending  had 
to  be  done,  and  there  was  no  hired  help  to  be  had. 
Their  work  was  unremitting  as  the  morning  and  even- 
ing, summer  as  well  as  winter.  Many  of  them  had 
been  nurtured  amid  the  luxuries  of  the  best  homes  of 
England.  "  On  the  uniioored  hut,  she,  who  had  been 
nurtured  amid  the  rich  carpets  and  curtains  of  the  mo- 
ther land,  rocked  her  new-born  babe  and  complained 
not.  She,  w^ho  in  the  home  of  her  youth,  had  arranged 
the  gorgeous  shades  of  embroidery,  or,  perchance,  had 
compounded  the  rich  venison  pastry  as  her  share  in 
the  house-keeping,  now  pounded  the  coarse  Indian  corn 
for  her  children's  bread,  and  bade  them  ask  God's 
blessing  ere  they  took  their  scanty  portion.  When 
the  snows  sifted  through  their  miserable  roof  trees 
upon  her  little  ones,  she  gathered  them  closer  to  her 
bosom ;  she  taught  them  the  Bible  and  the  catechism 
and  the  holy  hymn,  though  the  Avar- whoop  of  the  In- 
dian rang  through  the  wild.  Amid  the  untold  hard- 
ships of  colonial  life  she  infused  new  strength  into  her 
husband  by  her  firmness,  and  solaced  his  weary  hours 
by  her  love.""^  Not  a  few  of  the  early  settlers  had 
been  familiar  with  the  comforts  and  forms  of  aristo- 
cratic life.  With  all  their  cares  and  gravity  they  had 
their  festive  gatherings  and  social  fireside  enjoyments. 
As  the  people  prospered,  and  increased  their  ma- 

*  Mrs.  Sigourney. 


PKESBYTERIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  45 

terial  possessions,  they  were  able  to  supply  tliemselves 
with  a  better  class  of  houses,  and  more  of  the  comforts 
of  life.  A  rate  list  of  "  the  Towne  Estate  of  Jemaica, 
anno  1683,"  less  than  thirty  years  after  the  settlement 
was  made,  has  been  preserved,^  showing  the  great 
progress  the  town  had  made  in  population  and  wealth. 
The  number  of  "heads,"  or  rateable  polls,  had  become 
eighty-seven,  which,  multiplied  by  five,  the  usual  mode 
of  estimating  population,  would  show  that  the  number 
of  inhabitants  had  already  increased  to  four  hundred 
and  thirty-five.  Samuel  Smith  is  put  down  as  having 
the  largest  estate.  He  had  fifty  acres  of  land,  (^.  e. 
probably  land  under  cultivation,  the  wild  lands  not 
entering  into  the  estimate,)  twenty  cattle,  and  two 
horses.  Captain  Carpenter  stands  next  to  Mr.  Smith 
in  the  amount  of  his  estate.  He  was  captain  of  a 
"  company  of  ftuzileers,"  and  we  find  him  ordered  with 
his  company,  and  such  volunteers  as  were  willing  to 
serve  his  Majesty,  to  Fort  James  in  I^ew  York,  to  de- 
fend it  against  the  fieet  of  the  Prince  of  Orange,  which 
appeared  on  the  coast  in  July,  1673. f  Nicholas  Everit, 
Joseph  Smith,  in  the  order  of  the  value  of  their  estates, 
come  next  on  the  list.  Then  we  have  William  Creed, 
John  &  Jos.  Ludly,  [Ludlam]  Thomas  Bayles,  Edward 
Higbee,  John  Rodes,  Sen.,  Nathaniel  Denton,  Sen., 
all  of  them  among  the  most  prosperous  of  the  citizens, 
and  all  of  them  still  represented  by  numerous  descend- 
ants in  this  congregation.  Nathaniel  Denton  had  fifty- 
five,  the  largest  number  of  acres  under  cultivation. 
Daniel  Denton,  the  Town  Clerk,  now  famous  among 

*  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  Vol.  II.  p.  519.    See  Addenda,  in  this  Vol. 
t  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  Vol.  III.  pp.  91-99. 


46  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

bibliographers  and  antiquarians  as  the  anthor  of  the 
earliest  account  or  history  of  l^ew  York,  appears  to 
have  had  a  much  smaller  amount  of  property  than  any 
of  the  foregoing.  He  is  set  down  as  possessed  of  no 
land,  two  horses,  three  cattle,  and  an  estate  of  £56. 
His  work  was  published  in  16T0,  under  the  title  of  "A 
Brief  Descrij^tion  of  JN^ew  York,  formerly  called  'New 
Netherlands,"  etc.,  and  was  republished  by  the  His- 
torical Society  of  Philadelphia,  and  by  Gowans  of 
New  York,  as  late  as  1845.  He  was  a  son  of  the  Rev. 
Kichard  Denton  of  Hempstead,  and  was  associated 
w^ith  his  brother  Nathaniel,  John  Bailey,  John  Foster, 
and  Luke  Watson,  in  the  purchase  [1664]  of  a  large 
tract  of  land  in  New  Jersey,  and  in  the  settlement  of 
Elizabethtown.  "The  four  families  found  at  Elizabeth- 
town  by  (Gov.)  Carteret,  were  the  j^ioneers  of  the 
Jamaica  Colony."*  But  neither  of  the  Dentons  became 
permanent  residents  of  Elizabethtown.  Daniel  was 
schoolmaster,  doctor,  and  justice,  as  well  as  clerk  and 
author.  He  probably  visited  Englk,nd  at  the  time  his 
w^ork  was  published.  The  following  somewhat  singular 
minute  is  in  the  Records :  "  June  ye  13  [1684]  it  is 
voted  that  Mr.  Daniel  Denton  shall  have  liberty  to 
come  and  setell  hhnselfe  &  his  family  in  this  towne. 
By  Ben.  Coe,  Clark."  p.  132.  The  rate  list  also  shows 
the  number  of  horses,  cattle,  and  swine,  owned  among 
the  people  at  its  date.  During  the  seven  years  pre- 
ceding 1688,  there  were  in  Jamaica  twenty-seven 
marriages,  seventy- one  baptisms,  and  twenty- three 
burials.-f      The   number   of    baptisms   w^ould   clearly 

*  Whitehead's  E.  Jersej'  under  the  Proprietors,  pp.  88,  39. 
t  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  Vol.  III.  p.  197.     See  Addenda,  in  this  Vol. 


PEESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  47 

indicate  the  continuance  of  Mr.  Denton's  Presbyterian 
practice  of  baptizing  the  children  of  snch  parents  as 
were  not  members  of  the  chnrcli."^ 

The  labours  of  the  day  are  over.  It  is  a  Avinter 
evening.  Captain  Carpenter,  Daniel  Denton,  Thomas 
Bayles,  and  others  have  come,  let  ns  suppose,  to  spend 
it  at  the  house  of  Nicholas  Everit.  They  have  nuts 
and  cider  or  home-brewed  beer.  The  older  ones  of  the 
party  talk  of  home,  as  they  still  love  to  call  the  country 
from  which  they  have  fled.  They  describe  cities  and 
palaces  to  the  wondering  children,  born  in  the  wilder- 
ness, and  who  have  seen  no  grander  house  than  that  in 
which  the  minister  lives.  Perhaps  some  one  has 
served  in  the  armies  of  Cromwell  or  the  King,  and  tells 
how  battles  were  fought,  and  lost  or  won.  Perhaps 
some  one  was  present,  or  had  seen  those  who  were 
present  when  the  King  was  beheaded  in  front  of  the 
banqueting  hall  of  his  own  palace,  and  describes  the 
fearful  scene.  Or  they  talk  of  that  dreadful  plague  in 
London  which  had  just  then  swept  off  so  many  of  its 
inhabitants  that  grass  grew  in  the  streets,  and  the 
whole  city  presented  a  scene  of  mournful  desolation ; 
or  that  memorable  conflagration,  which  destroyed  more 
than  thirteen  thousand  houses  and  eighty-nine  churches, 
making  night  as  clear  as  day  to  the  distance  of  miles 
around,  its  effect  on  the  sky  being  perceptible  even  on 
the  Scottish  border.  Perhaps  some  one  had  heard  Bax- 
ter preach,  and  tells  of  his  melting  voice  and  terrible 
appeals.  Or  they  tell  stories  of  witchcraft,  in  which 
delusion  they  shared  with  the  best  and  wisest  people 
of  their  age,  Sir  Mathew  Hale  himself  not  excepted ; 

*  p.  63  seq. 


48  HISTORY    OF    THE 

for  in  1670  we  find  the  people  of  Jamaica  petitioning 
the  Governor  against  a  certain  witch  settling  here,  a 
woman^  from  Wethersfield  ;  the  poor  creature  seeking 
rest  found  none,  as  she  had  been  expelled  from  that 
place  on  the  same  charge.  Or  they  tell  stories  of 
fearful  encounters  with  w^ild  beasts,  or  of  successful 
hunting  expeditions.  Or  they  talk  of  the  bloody  Indian 
wars;  and  some  one  tells  of  the  seven  Indians  who 
were  arrested  and  confined  in  a  cellar  at  Hempstead  on 
a  charge  of  theft ;  though  it  was  afterwards  discovered 
that  some  Englishmen  had  themselves  committed  the 
crime,  and  how  Governor  Kieft  sent  Underhill  and 
Ensign  Opdyke,  with  a  band  of  soldiers,  to  punish 
them.f  Or  they  tell  how  this  same  Underhill  (called 
by  the  Dutch  annalist,  Sergeant  Major  Van  der  Hyl) 
was  sent  to  take  vengeance  on  Pennewitz,  a  great 
sachem  of  the  country,  and  with  one  hundred  and  twen- 
ty soldiers  marched  towards  Hempstead,  and  at  a  place 
called  Matsepe  (Massapequa?)  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty  of  the  Indians  were  slain. if 

Thus  2^ asses  the  evening  away.  But  the  company 
disperses  at  an  early  hour,  making  their  way  cautious- 
ly along  the  rough  and  overshadowed  paths  and  roads ; 
for  those  who  did  not  permit  the  daylight  to  find  them 
in  their  beds,  retired  early  to  their  rest. 

Or,  let  us  try  to  imagine  the  scene  presented  here 
on  a  Sabbath  morning  two  hundred  years  ago.  The 
day  is  observed  with  a  strictness  now  unknown  in  the 
general  community.  At  the  morning  family  prayer 
several  chapters  are  read  from  the  Bible.    After  break- 

*  Catherine  Harrison.    Mr.  Onderdonk's  notes. 

t  See  Breeden  Raedt,  as  translated  in  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  Vol.  IV.  p.  105. 

X  On  the  bounds  of  Hempstead  and  Jamaica  is  a  river  then  called  Massepe. 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  49 

fast  an  hour  is  occupied  by  the  children  in  learning  by- 
heart  a  portion  of  Scripture,  a  psalm  from  Sternhold 
and  Hopkins,  and  the  catechism.     The  father   hears 
them  say  their  lessons,  and  acts  as  the  superintendent 
of  this,  the  best  of  Sabbath  schools.    At  eleven  o'clock 
Abraham  Smith*  beats  the  drum ;    for  the  sound  of 
the  church-going  bell  was  as  yet  unheard  among  "  the 
valleys  and  rocks"  of  this  island.     The  entire  popula- 
tion are  astir,  wending  their  way  towards  the  house  of 
God.    The  people  of  Hempstead  passed  an  order,  1650, 
in  their  general  court,  imposing  a  fine,  which  was  to 
be  doubled  at  every  repetition  of  the  offence,  on  every 
person  who  "without  just  and  necessary  cause"  should 
neglect  to  attend  "  public  meetings  on  the  Lord's  day 
and  public  days  of  fasting  and  thanksgiving,  hoth  fore- 
noon and  afternoon y^     They  are  said  to  have  been 
more  rigid  in  this  respect  than  the  people  of  any  other 
town  on  the  island  ;  but  in  all  of  them  there  appears 
to  have  been  an  enforced  pecuniary  support  of,  and  at- 
tendance  on   the   preaching  of  the   Gospel.     In  the 
throng  we  see  going  up  to  the  sanctuary,  are  represent- 
atives of  every,  or  nearly  every  family  in  the  settle- 
ment.    The  dress  of  those  whose  pecuniary  means  af- 
ford it,  is  expensive,  elaborate,  and  ornamental.     The 
men  wear  broad-brimmed  hats,  turned  up  into  three 
corners,  with  loops  at  the  side ;  long  coats  with  large 
pocket  folds  and  cuffs,  without  collars,  having  buttons 
of  the  size  of  a  half  dollar,  plated  or  of  pure  silver ; 
vests  without  collars,  very  long,  v/ith  graceful  lappet- 
pockets ;    shirts  with  ruffled  bosoms  and  wristbands, 

*  Town  Records,  Jan.  30,  1662,  and  Jan.  29,  1663. 
+  Dr.  N.  S.  Prime's  Hist,  of  L.  I.,  p.  280. 
3 


50 


HI5T0EY    OF   THE 


with  gold  or  silver  sleeve  buttons ;  neck  cloths  of  line 
linen,  or  figured  or  embroidered  stuiF;  small-clothes 
with  silver  buckles  of  liberal  size  ;  and  shoes  orna- 
mented with  straps  and  silver  buckles.  A  finely 
dressed  gentleman  w^ore  a  chocolate  colored  coat,  bufi:' 
vest,  full  bush  wig  powdered  white,  and  white  top 
boots.  The  best  dress  of  the  rich  was  a  scarlet  coat, 
with  full  sleeves,  and  cuffs  reaching  to  the  elbows, 
the  wristbands  and  vest  fringed  with  lace,  with  gold 
buttons  and  sword.  The  visiting  dress  of  ladies  was 
more  costly,  complicated,  and  ornamental  than  their 
husbands  and  brothers  wore.  Their  bonnets  were  of 
silk  or  satin  ;  their  gowns  rich  brocades,  extremely 
long  waisted,  with  long  trails  and  expanded  farthin- 
gales, ornamented  with  flounces  and  spangles.  But  on 
the  Sabbath  their  apparel  was  simple  and  appropriate  ; 
a  cheap  straw  bonnet  with  a  single  bow  outside,  calico 
dress  of  sober  colors,  simple  white  muslin  collar,  neat 
shawl,  and  a  stout  pair  of  shoes.^ 

The  gathering  people  enter  the  sanctuary.  It  is  a 
humble  edifice  built  of  logs  and  thatched.  It  is  with- 
out pews  or  pulpit ;  benches  supply  the  place  of  the 
one,  and  a  table  or  rude  desk  that  of  the  other.  This, 
doubtless,  was  the  character  of  the  house,  (for  precisely 
such  a  house  was  built  by  the  first  settlers  at  East- 
hampton,  and  in  other  places,)  which  this  town  voted  to 
build  in  1663. 

The  people  are  all  assigned  seats  by  some  one  ap- 
pointed for  the  purpose,  according  to  their  age  and 


*  For  habits  and  manners  of  the  colonists,  see  Hist,  of  Medford,  Mass.,  by 
Rev.  Charles  Brooks ;  Hist,  of  Dorchester,  to  which  I  am  specially  indebt- 
ed; HoUister's  Hist,  of  Conn.;  Palfrey's  New  England,  Vol.  II. 


PEESBYTEEIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  51 

standing  in  the  community ;  a  tytliingman  sits  among 
the  children.  Mr.  Denton,  or  perhaps  "  Goodman 
Benedic,"  lines  a  psalm  out  of  Sternhold  and  Hopkins, 
and  the  services  proceed.  Their  souls  are  borne  up- 
ward by  song  and  prayer,  or  are  melted  within  them 
as  they  hear  the  young  preacher  tell  of  the  rest  that 
remaineth  in  that  better  land,  which  they  expect  to 
enter,  at  their  next  remove.  The  Scriptures  are  read 
and  commented  upon.*  The  hour-glass  stands  by  the 
side  of  the  Bible,  and  has  run  out,  been  turned,  and 
half  run  out  again,  when  the  service  closes.  The  peo- 
ple spend  a  half  hour  of  intermission  around  the  doors, 
or  under  the  neighboring  trees,  when  they  enter  again 
to  sing,  and  pray,  and  hear  the  word.  The  service 
closes,  at  half-past  two,  and  the  people  go  home  to 
partake  of  a  meal,  chiefly  prepared  on  the  preceding 
day,  in  which  the  dinner  and  supper  of  ordinary  days 
are  united.  The  Sabbath  day  apparel  is  now  taken 
off  and  the  mother  gathers  her  little  ones  around  her 
to  hear  the  Catechism,  and  question  them  respecting 
the  texts  and  sermons  of  the  day,  and  to  talk  to  them 
as  only  mothers  can,  of  Christ  and  heaven.  Thus  ends 
our  forefathers'  sabbath. 

Or  death  enters  (for  where  does  death  enter  not  ?) 
the  infant  settlement,t  and  they  are  gathered,  to  de- 
posit in  the  newly-cleared  soil,  one,  who  came  into  the 
wilderness  only  to  die.  How  many  tender  memories 
are  awakened  in  those  who  have  left  the  graves  of  their 

*  Reading  the  Bible  without  comment  was  called  dumb  reading,  and  an 
imitation  of  the  hierarchical  church.     Mr.  Onderdonk's  MS  notes. 

t  In  1668,  great  sickness  in  N.Y.  and  over  the  land.  Some  daily  swept 
away.  A  day  of  humiliation  ordered  by  the  Governor.  Mr.  Onderdonk's 
notes. 


52  HISTORY    OF   THE 

kindred,  on  a  far-distant  shore.  The  minister  addresses 
them,  or  preaches  a  sermon,  and  they  sing  a  solemn 
psahn  ;  perhaps  like  the  Puritans  of  ^N^ew  England,  to 
avoid  the  formality  of  the  Anglican  Church,  prayer  is 
omitted,  and  no  words  are  pronounced  at  the  grave. 
But  refreshments  are  provided  for  all  who  attend,  and 
presents  given  to  many. 

# 

November  the  5th,  1668. 

At  a  tound  meeting  the  tound  did  agre  w*  John 
wascot  to  fens  the  burring*  plas  w'  good  sulitient  5  rail 
fens  be  the  midell  of  march  next  insuing  he  is  to  fens  it  10 
rod  squar  &  he  is  to  have  4  p'ound  in  corent  pay  for  his 

pains  &  labor  Records  I.  p.  46. 

The  29th  of  March,  69,  it  was  voted  &  agreed  upon 
that  mister  waters  should  go  to  greenwiche  to  give  mis- 
ter Jones  a  invitation  to  give  us  a  visit  that  the  toune 
might  have  023ertunyty  to  make  an  agreement  with  him 
concarning  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Records  I.  p.  48. 

Dec.  5,  1670  :  voted,  that  William  Brinkly  shall  have  a 
peece  of  land  on  the  west  sid  of  the  buring  place  leving 
a  soficient  high-way  between  his  fence  &  the  Bever- 
pond.  Records  I.  p.  53. 

*  There  is  a  possible  doubt  of  this  word  but  it  seems  confirmed  by  2d 
extract  below. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  63 


CHAPTER     III. 
1670-169S. 

RET.  JOHN  PRUDDEN  —  A  CONVENIENT  PEW  TO  PREACH  IN — PERMISSION  GIVEN 
TO  MR.  PRUDDEN  TO  BUILD  ON  THE  MINISTER'S  LOT  —  THE  TOWN  "FURTHER 
THE  COMING  INTO  A  CHURCHWAX"  —  MR.  PRUDDEN  LEAVES  —  REV.  WM. 
WOODROP  —  FORTY  ACRES  APPROPRIATED  FOR  THE  USE  OF  THE  MINISTER 
IN  1676  —  MR.  PRUDDEN  RETURNED,  AND  ARTICLES  OF  AGREEMENT  WITH 
HIM — "RULES  OF  THE  GOSPEL  IN  THIS  TOWN"  —  WAS  THE  CHURCH  PRES- 
BYTERIAN OR  CONGREGATIONAL? — REV.  RICHARD  DENTON  —  TESTIMONY  OF 
DUTCH  MINISTERS  THAT  HE  WAS  A  PRESBYTERIAN  —  PRESBYTERIANS  AT 
FLUSHING  AND  NEWTOWN  —  DR.  WOODBRIDGe's  HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE  — 
GOV.  STUYVESANT  TO  THE  MAGISTRATES  OF  HEMPSTEAD  —  PRESBYTERIANS 
IN  NEW  ENGLAND  —  COTTON  MATHEr's  ACCOUNT  OF  MR.  DENTON  — 
CHURCH  GOVERNMENT  ACCORDING  TO  THE  SYNOD  OF  DORT  —  MR.  PRUDDEN'S 
PETITION  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  TO  ALLOW  HIM  TO  BE  MINISTER  OF  COX- 
GBEGATIONALISTS  —  MR,  P.  BECOMES  A  PRESBYTERIAN  —  GEORGE  SCOT  — 
ARCHIBALD  RIDDELL — THE  TOWN  VOTES  IN  FAVOR  OF  PRESBYTERIAN 
ORDINATION  IN  1700  —  REV.  GEORGE  MCNISH  —  THE  CHURCH  FOSTERED  BY 
THE  DUTCH  PRESBYTERIANS — THE  OLDEST  CHURCH  OP  THE  PRESBYTERIAN 
NAME  IN  AMERICA  —  VOTE  RESPECTING  THE  ERECTION  OF  A  MEETING  HOUSE 
IN   1689  —  MR.  PRUDDEN   GOES   TO   NEWARK  —  HIS   DEATH   AND   EPITAPH. 

JOHN    PRUDDEN. 

"VTEARLY  two  years  passed  away  before  the  town 
IM  '  succeeded  in  obtaining  this  minister,  during  which 
the  Rev.  Eliphalet  Jones,  then  of  Greenwich,  Conn., 
but  who  settled  in  Huntington  in  1676,  was  invited  to 
visit  the  town ;  but  it  does  not  appear  that  he  com- 
plied with  the  request.  Mr.  Prudden  was  called  in 
16Y0.  He  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Peter  Prudden,  who 
came  to  New  Haven  in  company  with  the  celebrated 
John  Davenport,  and  had  charge  of  the  church  in 


54  HISTORY   OF   THE 

"Wethersfield,  Conn.,  in  1638.  John  was  born  at  Milford, 
Conn.,  I^OYember  9th,  1645,  to  which  place  his  father 
had  removed,  with  a  few  of  his  congregation,  in  1640, 
and  begun  the  settlement  of  that  town."^  He  grad- 
uated at  Harvard  Collegef  in  1668,  and  was  twenty- 
five  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Jamaica. 

At  the  same  town  meeting  at  which  Mr.  Prudden 
was  called,  it  was  ordered  "  that  a  convenient  pew 
should  be  made  for  the  minister  to  preach  in,"  from 
which  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  house  of  worship, 
built  in  1663,  was  but  a  rude  edifice. 

6th  March  1670  At  a  toun  meeting  it  was  voted  & 
concluded  that  whereas  the  toun  hath  given  Mr  Prudden 
a  call  to  be  our  minester  for  this  present  year  it  was  agreed 
y*  he  should  have  from  this  towne  for  his  maintenance 
fo?/rty  pounds  a  yeare  for  this  present  yeare  in  good  cur- 
ant  cuntry  pay  &  likewise  the  use  of  the  house  &  land  & 
accomadations  which  Mr  walker  was  in  the  possession 
of  when  he  lived  amongst  us  &  is  commonly  called  the 
minesters  lott  And  this  to  continue  imlese  thay  or  he  shall 
see  cause  to  make  any  othere  agreement : 

This  writen  by  order  of  the  toun  by  me  Anthony  Wa- 
ters 

Clark  of  the  Sessions  Records  I.  p.  56. 

The  same  time  it  was  agreed  &  concluded  y*  there 
should  be  a  convenient  pew  made  for  the  minester  to 
preach  in  &  one  hired  to  beet  the  drom  to  give  notice  the 
time  when  the  towne  shaU  com  to  meetting. 

Records  I.  p.  56. 

The  1  of  Jeneay  1671  At  a  towne  meeting  it  was  voted 
&  the  towne  did  agree  that  mister  Preden  shall  have  forty 

*  Hinman's  Cat.  of  Puritan  Names  of  Conn.,  66.        fTrien.  Cat. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  65 

pound  in  corent  cuntrey  pay  of  the  tound  &  the  hous  Su 
land  that  he  is  in  posetion  of  for  this  present  year  acord- 
ing  to  the  former  town  order  &  if  the  said  mister  Preden 
doth  lay  out  any  charge  upon  the  said  acomidations  whar- 
by  it  is  mad  beter  the  tound  shall  alow  him  for  it  if  he  leve 
it,  at  the  same  townd  meeting  it  was  voted  that  Nicklas 
Evrit  should  beet  the  drum  to  give  the  tound  warning  to 
com  to  meeting  on  the  sabbath  &  he  shall  have  twenty 
shilling  for  his  pains.  Records  I.  p.  70. 

at  a  towne  meeteing  held  the  24  of  May  Anno  1672  It 
was  voted  &  agreede  upon  that  George  Woolsey  a  John 
Oldfielde  Samuell  Smith  &  Xathaniell  Denton  shall  in  the 
behalfe  of  the  towne  make  an  agreement  with  me""  John 
Preuden  upon  such  conditions  as  followeth :  namely  that 
if  me""  John  Preuden  will  ingage  to  continue  amongst  us 
upon  the  same  tearmes  for  maintenanse  as  he  hath  hitherto 
had  of  us  &  not  to  leave  the  plase  soe  longe  as  the  towne 
contenues  paying  the  same  some  of  mony  that  they  nowe 
pay  &  if  hee  will  doe  soe  then  the  towne  are  welling  hee 
should  build  <fc  when  he  removes  beino;  okcationed  soe  to 
doe  by  the  towne  then  the  towne  will  pay  for  what  the  ac- 
comadations  is  bettered  by  what  he  hath  done. 

Records  I.  p,  69. 

May  the  27  1672  Wee  whose  names  are  heare  under- 
written being  deputed  by  the  towne  to  agetate  &  agree 
with  me"^  John  Prudden  for  his  continuation  amongst  us 
as  our  minester  wee  have  acordingly  come  to  this  agree- 
ment with  him  namely  that  hee  is  to  stay  &  continue  in 
the  minestry  amongst  us  soe  long  as  the  towne  doth  con- 
tinue paying  to  him  the  same  som  of  mony  yearely  as  at 
present  they  doe  but  if  in  case  the  towne  dose  not  per- 
forme  theire  parte  in  paying  him  his  allowed  some  yearely- 
&  soe  okcation  his  removal  then  the  towne  shall  pay  him 
for  what  the  acomadations  is  made  better  by  what  hee 


56  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

hath  done  upon  the  acomadations  &  further  it  is  agred 
upon  that  if  me"  j^rudden  dose  see  cans  to  remove  &  giv. 
eth  satesfactorj  reasons  to  the  towne  for  his  remoAall  the 
towne  not  being  neglegent  on  theire  parte  in  paying  him 
his  alowed  som  then  what  me'"  Prudden  makeeth  the  acom- 
adations better  by  any  laboure  hee  bestoweth  upon  it  shall 
be  left  to  the  towne  free  without  any  consideration  for  his 
paynes  only  this  if  the  towne  dose  not  see  cause  to  pay  for 
the  howse  that  hee  is  nowe  aboute  to  builde  then  Me'' 
Prudden  shall  have  liberty  to  remove  y''  howse  of  from 
the  tounes  lot  &  if  in  case  that  Me""  Prudden  should  stay 
amongst  us  dureing  his  life  then  the  toune  shall  make  good 
to  his  wife  whatsoever  the  acomadations  is  bettered  by  any 
thing  that  hee  hath  done  upon  it :  &  for  the  confermation 
of  this  agreement  the  town  did  voluntaraly  ingage  them- 
selves at  a  towne  meeting  held  the  third  of  June  that  they 
would  not  obstruct  or  hinder  but  rather  further  the  com- 
ing into  a  church  Avay  acordeing  to  y®  rules  of  the  gospell 
in  this  towne  by  Me''  Prudden  &  such  as  will  joyne  with 
him : 

John  Prudden 

Written  by  me  Xathaniell  Denton 

Gierke  Kecords  I.  p.  71. 

May  24th,  1672,  it  thus  appears  from  the  records, 
that  Mr.  Prudden  desired  the  town  to  allow  him  to 
build  a  house  on  the  minister's  lot,  so  called.  The 
town  accordingly  appointed  a  committee  to  make  an 
agreement  Tvith  him.  Three  days  after,  on  the  27th  of 
May,  this  committee,  on  behalf  of  the  town,  entered 
into  a  written  agreement  with  Mr.  Prudden,  to  this  ef- 
fect :  that  his  salary,  £-1:0  per  annum,  was  to  continue 
as  before ;  that  he  might  proceed  to  build  on  the  min- 
ister's lot ;  that  if  he  should  leave  them  through  their 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  5T 

default,  tliey  would  reimburse  liim  for  the  expenses  in- 
curred ;  or  in  case  the  town  should  not  see  fit  to  pay 
for  the  house,  then  he  should  have  liberty  to  remove 
it  from  their  lot.  "  And  for  the  confirmation  of  this 
agreement  the  town  did  voluntarily  mgage  themselves^ 
at  a  town  meeting^  held  the  third  of  June^  that  they 
woiddj  not  obstruct  or  hiyider^  hnt  rather  further  the 
coming  into  a  church  way^  according  to  the  rules  of  the 
Gospel  in  this  town^  hy  Mr.  Prudden^  and  such  as  will 
join  with  himy  The  ''coming  into  a  church  way,  ac- 
cording to  the  rules  of  the  Gospel,"  is'  language  that 
cannot  be  mistaken ;  it  must  refer  to  the  organization 
of  a  church.  It  proves  that  up  to  the  3d  of  June, 
1672,  there  had  been  no  regularly  constituted  church 
of  Christ  in  this  place.  The  town  had  now  been  set- 
tled sixteen  years,  and  it  was  ten  years  since  Mr.  Wal- 
ker began  his  labors.  But  the  inhabitants,  it  should 
be  remembered,  were  few  and  isolated,  and  every  thing 
was  in  an  unorganized  state,  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Wal- 
ker's arrival.  Mr.  W.,  moreover,  was  unordained, 
which  fact,  as  the  people  earnestly  desired  to  have  the 
sacraments  administered,  finally  led  to  his  removal. 

The  question  now  arises,  whether  a  church  was  or- 
ganized at,  or  soon  after,  the  above-mentioned  date. 
This  question,  I  think,  is  sufiiciently  answered  in  the 
afiirmative,  from  the  fact  that  the  vote  to  further  the 
organization  of  a  church  was  passed  at  a  town  meeting 
convened  to  confirm  the  agreement  which  their  com- 
mittee had  previously  entered  into  with  Mr.  Prudden  ; 
and  that  he  remained,  in  accordance  with  the  condi- 
tions he  had  entered  into  with  the  town. 

We  pass  on  to  January  13th,  1674,  when  it  appears 
3* 


58  HISTORY    OF   THE 

from  the  Kecords  that  the  town  desired  "  a  positive  an- 
swer" from  Mr.  Prudden  whether  he  would  remain  with 
them  as  their  minister  ;  his  answer  w^as  "  that  he  was 
now  nnder  an  engagement  to  another  peoj^le."  They 
proceeded  to  settle  with  him,  and  he  took  his  departure, 
after  having  been  the  minister  here  about  four  years. 
To  wdiat  people  he  was  under  an  engagement,  I  have 
not  been  able  to  ascertain.  The  town  immediately 
adopted  measures  of  "  inquiry  after  another  minister  ;" 
and  on  June  24:th,  1675,  we  find  them  voting  to  give  Mr. 

WILLIAM  AVOODDROP 

or  Woodruff,  £60  together  with  the  use  of  the  "  parson- 
age," and  lands  attached,  to  be  their  minister.  He  was 
one  of  the  ministers  ejected  by  the  Act  of  Uniformity, 
in  1662,  who  found  refuge  in  this  country.  He  is  men- 
tioned by  Cotton  Mather,  who  calls  him  Woodrop.  He 
remained  here  but  one  year,  when  he  removed,  as 
Thompson  asserts,  to  Pennsylvania. 

In  June,  1676,  the  tovvm  appropriated  forty  acres  of 
meadow,  together  with  upland,  for  the  use  of  a  minis- 
ter. It  is  this  land  which  is  referred  to  in  the  Act  of 
the  town,  21st  of  April,  1753,  and  which  is  there  said 
to  have  been  continued,  "  for  the  use  of  a  minister  of 
the  Presbyterian  denomination,  since  that  time."  Un- 
der the  same  date,  June  19th,  1676,  articles  of  agree- 
ment are  recorded,  between  the  town  of  Jamaica  and 
the  Kev.  John  Prudden,  who,  it  appears,  had  returned, 
by  which  the  town  agreed  to  give  him,  "his  heirs  or 
assigns,"  certain  lands  provided  he  should  discharge 
"  the  work  of  a  minister  for  ten  years ;  his  salary  to  be 
forty  pounds  and  his  firev\^ood. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  59 

at  a  towne  meeteing  called  the  13th  of  January  Anno 
Dommi  1674 

The  towne  desired  a  posetive  answer  of  Me''  John  Prud- 
den  conserning  his  staying  with  us  &  his  ansAver  was  that 
hee  was  nowe  under  an  ingagement  to  another  people  soe 
that  he  could  not  stay  with  us  any  longer 

at  tKe  same  towne  meeteing  he  Me'"  Prudden  desired  a 
pese  of  grounde  of  the  toune  which  he  had  taken  up  & 
fenced  &  cleared  a  little  way  of  from  the  reare  of  Beniamin 
Coes  lot  the  which  pese  of  grounde  was  given  to  him  that 
is  to  Me""  Prudden  upon  the  accounte  that  there  should  be 
noe  more  satesfaction  exspected  from  the  town  by  Me"" 
Prudden  for  anything  that  he  hath  done  upon  the  townse 
lot  the  new  howse  only  exsepted. 

at  the  same  towne  meeteing  it  was  voted  &  concluded 
that  the  constable  &  overseors  should  make  inquirye  after 
a  minister  for  this  towne  Records  I.  p.  73. 

March  the  6th  Anno  Domini  1674  or  5 

At  a  towne  meeting  then  called  it  was  there  &  then 
voted  &  concluded  on  by  the  towne  that  the  some  of  fifty 
pounds  should  be  payed  by  the  towne  to  any  such  minister 
as  the  towne  can  procure  to  come  &  live  amongst  them  I  say 
fifty  pounds  a  year  anually  for  his  incorigement 

and  to  the  end  that  the  towne  might  obtaine  a  minister 
they  did  at  the  same  towne  meeting  make  choise  of  Jonas 
holsteade  &  John  Foster  to  goe  to  Mr"  Pek*  or  any  other 
minister  that  may  be  procured  to  come  &  live  amongst  us 
as  our  minister  Records  I.  p.  73. 

Jamaica  this  12th  of  Marche  Anno  1674  or  5 

The  constable  &  overseers  have  let  to  John  Skidmore  the 
townes  lot  that  is  to  say  the  barne  &  home  lot  for  the  space 
of  one  year  in  consideration  where  of  that  is  to  say  for  the 

*  Mr.  Jeremiah  Peck  of  Elizabethtown? 


60  HISTORY    OF   THE 

use  of  the  barne  to  cure  a  crop  of  tobacco  in  &  the  land  to 
plant  a  crop  upon  &  the  fruite  of  y*  orcharde  he  is  to  re- 
paire  the  fens  about  the  orcharde  forthwith  soe  as  to 
secure  the  orchard  til  this  time  twelvemonth  &  for  the 
other  fens  to  secure  it  soe  that  he  may  preserve  his  crop  of 
corne  &  alsoe  to  make  &  hang  a  paire  of  barne  doores  to 
the  barne  &  if  in  case  that  the  towne  doth  procure  a  min- 
ister that  shall  come  time  inough  to  make  use  of  the  frewte 
of  the  orcharde  then  the  town  shall  j^ay  for  the  barne 
doores  makeing  that  this  is  our  agreement  witness  our 
hands  this  day  and  date  above  written 

Nathaniel  Denton 
John  Skidmore 

Kecords  I.  p.  108. 

Jemaicae  June  24th  Anno  Domini  1675 

there  being  a  towne  meeteing  it  was  then  &  there 
voted  concluded  &  agreed  upon  by  the  towne  that  they 
would  duely  &  truely  pay  unto  Me"'  William  Wooddrop 
the  full  &  just  som  of  three  score  pounds  per  annum  to  bee 
our  minister  in  such  pay  as  will  pas  currently  from  man  to 
man  that  is  to  say  if  in  wheate  at  five  shillings  j)er  bushell 
peise*  at  foure  &  rye  at  foure  indeand  corne  at  three 
shillings  per  bushell  as  alsoe  the  use  of  the  house  &  or- 
charde which  is  commonly  calde  the  towne  or  Parsonige 
house  with  the  medowe  at  present  &  after  the  crop  is  of 
the  grounde  to  have  the  benefit  of  all  such  lands  &  house- 
ing  as  belongs  to  the  saide  towne  lot  that  this  is  the 
townse  acte  done  the  day  &  date  above  written  by  the 
towne  in  general  teste  Nathaniel  Denton 

towne  clerk  Records  I.  p.  74. 

Jenewary  the  24  1675 

At  a  town  mettinsf  it  is  voted  &  concluded  that  Avhereas 
their  was  three  score  pounds  a  yeer  promised  to  M  Wood- 

*  Peas. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  61 

rop  ill  county  pay  it  is  now  concluded  that  they  will  alow 
him  the  forenamed  some  of  thre  score  pound  in  merchants 
pay  to  be  payd  at  Yorke  only  these  men  under  written 
eare  freed  from  the  alteration  of  the  pay 

BENIAMIlSr    COE  JONATHAN   MILLS 

JOHN    OLDFIELD 

Records  I.  p.  74, 

april  the  4th  1676  These  presents  may  witness  that  the 
constable  and  overseers  have  let  out  to  James  heynds  the 
town  lot  &  house  w*  the  apurtinancs  their  unto  belonging 
for  this  yeer  insuing  upon  the  conditions  folowing  first  that 
the  sayd  Jams  shall  repayer  &  make  sufisant  all  the  out 
side  fenceing  belonging  to  the  sayd  lot  w'  new  posts  & 
rayls  where  their  is  nede  &  to  secure  the  orchard 
from  any  damage  &  to  leave  the  fence  sufisant  at  the 
end  of  y*"  yere  &,  to  alow  to  the  towne  for  the  sayed  housin 
&  acomidation  the  full  &  just  (some)  of  £2  105  for  the  yere 
in  good  pasable  pay  as  it  pas  between  man  &>  man  &  fur- 
ther it  is  agreed  that  if  the  town  shall  have  a  minister  at 
any  time  before  the  terme  of  the  yeere  be  expired  then 
Jams  shal  returne  the  hous  barne  &  orchard  to  the  dispose 
of  the  toune  &  shall  alow  to  the  toune  six  shiling  an  acore 
for  the  remainder  of  the  home  lot  beside  the  orchard  & 
Jams  to  be  alowed  for  his  labour  about  the  fence  but  if 
Jams  shall  keepe  this  lot  in  hands  tell  mickellmass  that  he 
have  takin  the  crop  of  the  land  &  if  the  town  have  ocation 
to  make  use  of  this  acomidation  at  micklmes  then  Jams 
shall  resigne  it  up  to  the  towne  the  towne  abating  Jams  20 
shiling  in  witnes  of  the  premises  we  have  set  our  hands 

JAMES    HINDES 
BENIEMIN    COE 

in  the  name  of  the  town 

Records  I.  p.  77, 


62  HISTORY    OF   THE 

June  y*  19  1676  At  a  town  meeting  it  is  voted  &  con- 
cluded that  their  shall  be  40  acors  of  medow  designd  & 
sett  apart  for  a  parsonage  lot  in  the  east  neck  joining  to  the 
lots  of  medoAV  layed  out  with  upland  proporsianable  to 
other  lots  layed  out  in  the  tOAvne  to  continue  at  the  dispose 
of  the  towne  to  a  minister  when  they  shall  have  ocation  to 
make  of  it 

subscribed  by  me  Beniemen  Coe 
clarke 

Records  I,  p.  94. 

June  y^  19  1676  Artickels  of  agreement  betweene  the 
towne  of  Jemaica  the  on  party  &  M'  John  Pruddin  the 
other  as  followeth 

that  the  toune  doe  fully  &  freely  give  unto  M'  John 
Pruddin  the  house  land  &  acomidations  in  this  towne  which 
was  designed  <fc  set  apart  for  a  minister  w*  all  the  privi- 
ledges  &  apurtinancis  which  doe  or  here  after  may  per- 
taine  unto  the  sayed  acomidations  wee  say  we  doe  fully  & 
frely  give  unto  the  sayed  M'  John  Pruddin  to  poses  & 
quiatly  to  inioy  for  himselfe  &  his  ayers  or  asigns  forever 
upon  the  condision  following  namely  that  M""  John  Pruddin 
doe  continew  in  this  toune  discharging  the  worke  of  a  min- 
ister for  the  terme  of  ten  yers  insewing  if  god  continew  his 
life  &  liberty  soe  longe  but  if  by  death  he  be  taken  away 
before  the  expiration  of  the  ten  yeer  then  notwithstanding 
the  hole  acomidations  remain  sure  &  firm  to  his  ayers  after 
him  But  if  the  sayed  John  Prudden  doe  leave  the  towne 
before  the  end  of  the  ten  yeere  then  the  acomidations  to 
returne  to  the  tovvme  the  towne  satisfying  him  for  what  he 
have  expended  upon  the  same  &  further  the  towne  doe 
hereby  promise  &  ingage  to  give  unto  John  Pruddin  forty 
pound  the  yeer  &  his  fire  wood  free  during  the  time  that 
he  shall  continew  in  the  town  inployed  in  the  worke  of  the 
ministry  this  forenamed  forty  pound  to  be  dewly  &  trewly 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  63 

payed  anually  to  him  or  his  order  the  on  halfe  in  marchants 
pay  delivered  at  Yorke  &  the  other  halfe  in  country  pay  in 
this  tOAvne  as  it  pas  betwene  man  &  man  that  this  cove- 
nant was  the  truth  concerning  both  the  town  &  M""  Prud- 
din  to  the  best  of  my  knowledg  subscribed  by  me 

Beniemin  Coe 
clarke 

By  order  from  the  constable  &  overser 

Records  I.  p.  94. 

wee  whose  names  are  here  under  written  ingage  to 
brmg  ]\P  Pruddin  a  load  of  woode  a  pese  yearely  by  sub- 
scribing our  names. 

NATHANIEL  DENTON  NEHEMIAH  SMITH 

GEORGE  WOOLSEY  JONAS  HOLSTEADE 

JOHN  EVERET  JOHN  SKIDMORE 

THOMAS  SMITH  SAMUEL  SMITH 

WILLIAM  RUSCOE  JOHN  RODES 

ABELL  GALE  ANTHONY  WATERS 

HENERY  FOSTER  WAIT  SMITH 

JOSEPH  SMITH  SAMUEL  MATHEWS 
JOHN  OLDFIELDE  JOHN  CARPENTER 

ROGER  LYNAS  Records  I.  p.  115. 

y®  constable  &  oversers  have  &  doe  give  libberty  unto 

Kichard  Jones  to  make  use  of  y®  meting  house  for  to  teach 

scoule  in  for  y^  yere  ensuing  provided  he  keep  y^  windowes 

from  breaking  and  keep  it  deasent  &  clean  one  Saturday 

nights  against   y^   Lord's   day  &  seats   to   be   placed  in 

order : — excepting    what    times    y^  constable    &  oversers 

shall  have  ocation  to  make  use  of  it  then  they  to  have  it  at 

their  disposal  by  order  of  y*  constable  &  oversers 

Sam.  Rusco 
clarke 

[no  date:  but  Jan   1676-7   precedes   &  march   1676-7 

next  follows — all  in  one  hand — viz.  Rusco's]     Records  I.  p.  80. 


64:  HISTORY    OF    THE 

A  town  Meeting  called  Aprill  y®  3d  1688  the  town  have 
agreed  w*  John  Heins  for  a  piece  of  eight  to  goe  to  Wood- 
bridge  &  to  desire  y^  minister  there  to  give  y^  town  a  visit 
in  order  to  setling  amongst  us  &  the  toun  doe  appoint  y^ 
dark  to  write  a  letter  to  y"  s'd  minister  &  to  give  him  an 
invitation  to  come  amongst  us  to  dispense  y^  Avord  of  God 
here  :  on  behalf  of  the  town 

Thes  men  following  have  payed  every  one  there  bit  upon 
y^  account  above  mentioned 

CAPT  CARPENTER  JOSEPH  SMITH 

NEHEMIAH  SMITH  JOSEPH  THURSTONE 

JONAS  W^OOD  JOHN   WOOD 

NATH  DENTON  JR  SAMLL  SMITH 

JOHN  LUDLUM  SAMLL  MILLS 
GEORGE  AVOOLSEY  JR  I       DANLL   DENTON  JR 
MR  WHITE  :  Records  I.  p.  150. 

August  y"  S''  1688  a  toun  meeting  called — The  town  have 
made  choise  of  theese  men  following  (viz)  Mr.  Whitehead 
Capt :  Carpenter  Mr  White  Nathaniel  Denton  Wait  Smith 
Joseph  Thurston  John  Oldfield  &  Samll  Smith  to  endevour 
&  use  meane  for  y*"  j^rocuring  such  a  minister  as  shall  sute 
w*  &  bee  accepted  off  by  y^  town :     by  order  of  y*  toun 

Danll  :  Denton  dark 

Records  I,  p.  154. 

This  is  the  proper  place  to  consider  the  significance 
of  the  noticeable  expression  the  rules  of  the  Gospel  in 
this  town,  or  the  question,  whether  the  church  which 
was  formed  in  1672,  in  accordance  with  these  rules, 
was  Presbyterian  or  Congregational.  Mr.  Prudden 
was  undoubtedly  a  Congregatioiialist,  and  this  expres- 
sion was  probably  intended  to  guard  against  the  intro- 
duction of  any  thing  inconsistent  with  the  settled  and 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  65 

well-understood  principles  of  tlie  people  of  the  town. 
The  controversies  at  Hempstead  prove  that  the  distinc- 
tion between  Independency  and  Presbyterianism  was 
well  known  to  them,  and  perhaps  they  had  something 
to  do  with  this  cautious  manner  of  expression.  Atten- 
tion is  invited  to  the  following  facts,  as  going  far  to 
settle  the  above  question. 

Tlie  Eev.  Kichard  Denton,  who  was  minister  at 
Hempstead  at  the  time  Jamaica  was  settled,  and  from 
which  town  the  leading  members  of  the  colony  came, 
was  beyond  all  question  a  Presbyterian.  In  a  Peport  to 
the  Classis  of  Amsterdam,  made  in  1657,  by  the  minis- 
ters in  charge  of  the  Dutch  Church  in  Xew  York,  the 
Pevs.  Joh.  Megapolensis  and  Samuel  Drisius,  we  have 
this  significant  passage:  "At  Heemstede,  about  7  Dutch 
miles  from  here  there  are  some  Independants ;  also 
many  of  our  pur  suasion  and  Presbyterians.  They  have 
also  a  Presbyterian  preacher,  named  Pichard  Denton, 
an  honest,  pious,  and  learned  man.  He  hath  in  all 
things  conformed  to  our  church.  The  Independants  of 
the  place  listen  attentively  to  his  preaching,  but  when 
he  began  to  baptise  the  children  of  such  parents  as  are 
not  members  of  the  church,  they  sometimes  burst  out 
of  the  church."*  This  extract  shows  that  the  writers 
carefully  made  the  distinction  between  Independents 
and  Presbyterians,  and  proves  that  the  line  was  dis- 
tinctly drawn  between  these  parties  at  Hempstead. 
The  writers  make  the  same  distinction  in  other  parts 
of  the  letter,  and  state  several  important  facts.  Thus, 
they  say:  "At  Flushing  they  heretofore  had  a  Pres- 

*  See  this  letter  entire  as  translated  by  Rev,  Dr.  De  Witt,  Doc.  Hist. 
N.  Y.,  Vol.  III.,  page  103. 


66  IIISTOEY   OF   THE 

byterian  preaclier,  who  conformed  to  our  church,  but 
many  of  them  became  endowed  with  divers  opinions, 
and  it  was  with  them,  quot  homhies  tot  sententice  "  [as 
many  opinions  as  there  were  men].  "  At  Middebnrgh, 
called  alias,  I^ewtown  they  are  mostly  Independants, 
and  have  a  man  of  the  same  persuasion  there,  Johan- 
nes Moor,  who  preaches  there  well,  but  administers  no 
sacraments,  because  (as  he  says)  he  was  permitted  in 
ISTew  England  to  preach,  but  not  authorized  to  adndn- 
ister  sacraments,  and  he  has  thus  continued  now  for 
many  years.  In  this  village  are  also  many  other  inhab- 
itants Presbyterians,  but  they  are  not  able  to  maintain  a 
Presbyterian  Preacher,  whilst  we  know  not  that  any  of 
this  sect  are  to  be  found  among  the  English  in  N.  Eng- 
land, among  whom  there  are  preachers."  The  Pev.  Syl- 
vester Woodbridge,  Jr.,  formerly  pastor  at  Hempstead, 
now  Dr.  Woodbridge,  of  California,  says  in  his  his- 
torical discourse  delivered  at  Hempstead  in  1840,  "  The 
Pev.  Pichard  Denton  was  a  Presbyterian  minister  of 
Coley  Chapel,  parish  of  Halifax,  in  the  northern  part  of 
England."  It  appears  that  at  Hempstead  he  "  in  all 
things  conformed"  to  the  church  of  Holland,  which 
can  mean  nothing  less  than  that  he  was  distinctively 
Presbyterian;  and  the  Independents  exhibited  great 
signs  of  dissatisfaction.  It  appears,  also,  from  a  letter 
of  Gov.  Stuyvesant,*  addressed  "  to  the  Magistraats 
off  Heemstead,"  that  he  had  visited  that  place  the 
same  year,  1657,  for  the  purpose  of  "  settlingh  off  mis- 
ter denton's  continuance  accordino^  to  aD:reement  of  the 
tents  (tenths)  for  the  present  year  ; "    and  that  Mr. 

*  Doc.  Hist.  N.  v.,  page  189. 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  67 

Robert  Fordhani  wlio  liacl  been  "  sum  tymes  minister 
[of]  the  toun  of  lieemsted,"  and  had  left  the  place, 
and  ''the  exercys  of  the  ministery"  without  the  Gov- 
ernor's knowledge  and  permission,  had  returned,  or 
that  a  party  was  labouring  to  bring  him  back,  in  op- 
position to  Mr.  Denton.  May  not  the  origin  of  the 
Jamaica  colony,  in  which  were  two  persons  of  the 
name  of  Denton,  sons  of  the  minister  at  Hempstead, 
have  had  some  connection  with  this  religious  dis- 
sension? During  the  six  years  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  colony,  before  the  organization  of  a  regular 
congregation,  there  can  be  no  doubt  those  among  the 
first  settlers  who  had  been  in  communion  with  Mr. 
Denton's  church  at  Hempstead,  retained  their  connec- 
tion with  it,  enjoying  occasional  communion  with  their 
brethren,  and  visits  from  their  pastor.  As  to  that  por- 
tion of  the  primitive  inhabitants,  who  it  is  supposed 
came  from  ISlew  England,  some  of  them  may  have 
been  drawn  to  the  English  settlements  on  this  end  of 
the  island,  because  there  were  no  churches,  distinctively 
Presbyterian,  in  'New  England.  Previous  to  the  year 
1640,  four  thousand  Presbyterians,  it  is  said,  arrived 
in  New  England  ;  and  of  the  two  thousand  ministers 
ejected  by  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  in  1662,  a  con- 
siderable number,  found  refuge  in  this  country ;  one 
of  them,  Wm.  "Woodruff,  became  minister  of  this 
church.  For  proof  of  the  strong  Presbyterian  ele- 
ment which  pervaded  New  England,  we  need  nothing 
better  than  the  Saybrook  Platform  itself."^  Thomp- 
son says  of  Mr.  Denton,  that  he  returned  to  England 

*  Trumbull's  Hist,  of  Conn.,  Vol.  I.,  page  487. 


68  HISTOKY    OF   THE 

in  1659,  where  lie  died  in  1662,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
six.  He  states  this  on  the  authority  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hey  wood,  his  successor  at  Halifax.*  In  Savage's 
Genealogical  Dictionary,  he  is  said  to  have  died  at 
Hempstead  in  1663.  After  Mr.  Denton's  departure, 
a  long  and  angry  controversy  was  carried  on  between 
the  Independents  and  Presbyterians. 

"Among  those  clouds,"  (says  Cotton  Mather,  meaning 
the  ministers  who  came  from  England,)  "  was  our  j^ious 
and  learned  Mr.  Richard  Denton,  a  Yorkshire  man,  who, 
having  watered  Hahfax,  in  England,  with  his  fruitful  min- 
istry, was  by  a  tempest  there  hurried  into  New  England, 
where  first  at  Weathersfield,  and  then  at  Stamford,  his 
doctrine  dropped  as  the  rain,  his  speech  distilled  as  the 
dew,  as  the  small  rain  upon  the  tender  herb,  and  as  the 
showers  upon  the  grass.  Though  he  were  a  little  man, 
yet  he  had  a  great  soul ;  his  well  accomplished  mind,  in 
his  lesser  body,  was  an  Iliad  in  a  nut-shell.  I  think  he  was 
blind  of  an  eye,  yet  he  was  not  the  least  among  the  seers  of 
Israel ;  he  saw  a  very  considerable  portion  of  those  things 
which  eye  hath  not  seen.  He  was  far  from  cloudy  in  his 
conceptions  and  principles  of  divinity,  whereof  he  wrote  a 
system,  entitled  Soliloquia  Sacra^  so  accurately  considering 
the  fourfold  state  of  man,  in  his  created  purity,  contracted 
deformity,  restored  beauty,  and  celestial  glory,  that  judi- 
cious persons,  who  have  seen  it,  very  much  lament  the 
churches  being  deprived  of  it.  At  length  he  got  into 
heaven  beyond  clouds,  and  so  beyond  storms;  waiting  the 
return  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  clouds  of  heaven, 
when  he  will  have  his  reward  among  the  saints." 

Thompson  says  that  he  was  educated  at  the  Univer- 

*  Hist,  of  Long  Island,  Vol.  II.,  p.  20. 


PEESBYTEEIAN    CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  69 

sity  of  Cambridge,  where  he  graduated  m  1623, 
and  was  minister  of  Coley  Chapel,  Halifax,  seven 
years.  He  probably  arrived  in  New  England  with 
Gov.  Winthrop  in  1630  (Savage  says,  1639) ;  went  first 
to  Watertown,  but  in  1635  with  others  commenced 
the  settlement  at  Wethersfield.  In  1641,  he  is  found 
among  the  proprietors  of  Stamford,  where  he  was 
owner  of  a  valuable  real  estate. 

Another  fact.  In  1674,  9th  of  May,  Mr.  Prudden  hav- 
ing left,  two  years  after  the  people  had  given  their  voice 
in  favor  of  the  organization  of  a  church,  we  find  Mr. 
^Nathaniel  Denton  addressing  a  letter  to  the  colonial 
secretary,  regarding  the  maintenance  of  the  minister 
of  Jamaica,  asking  an  order  to  compel  certain  persons 
in  the  town  to  pay  their  proportion  towards  the  sup- 
port of  the  minister,  in  which  he  refers  to  "instructions" 
that  the  ]3eople  were  not  to  maintain  "  any  other  w^ay 
of  church  government  than  what  is  according  to  the  Sy- 
nod of  Dort,"  and  expressly  asserts  that  "  our  minister" 
is  "noe  ways  repugnant  to  that  Synod."*  By  a  way  of 
church  government  which  was  according  to  the  S}Tiod 
of  Dort,  must  have  been  meant  the  Presbyterian  way. 

Another  fact.  In  a  petition  addressed  to  Gov. 
Dongan  in  1688,  by  the  Rev.  John  Prudden,  in  which 
he  styles  himself  "  quondam  minister  of  Jamaica,"  he 
states  that  a  considerable  part  of  his  salary  is  with- 
held, through  the  refusal  of  several  inhabitants  "  to 
pay  their  proportion  levied  by  yearly  rates,"  and  asks, 
as  a  lawsuit  "  would  be  unpleasant  and  discommendable 
on  all  hands,"  that  an  order  may  be  issued  by  the 

*  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  Vol,  III.,  p.  193. 


70  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

Governor,  enforcing  payment.  He  then  goes  on  to  say 
"  Your  humble  jDetitioner  only  requesteth  further  that 
if  a  considerable  number  of  the  Congeegationall 
PEOFESsioN  &  PEESWAsioN  should  bc  desirous  y^  he  would 
continue  to  bee  their  minister,  and  maintain  him  at 
their  own  cost  &  charge  by  a  voluntary  contribution, 
your  Excellency  &  the  Hon.  Council  would  pleas  to 
give  approbation  thereunto,"  etc.^  A  certificate  is 
added,  signed  by  Nehemiah  Smith  and  John  Carpen- 
ter, that  Mr.  Prudden  had  continued  in  the  town  the 
full  term  of  ten  years,  (the  term  agreed  upon  in  articles 
on  record,  at  the  time  of  his  return  in  1676,  June  19th) 
"  discharging  the  work  of  a  minister  according  to  the 
way  of  y^  churches  in  New  EnglandP  This  certificate 
that  he  had  discharged  his  work  as  a  minister  accord- 
ing to  the  way  of  the  churches  of  New  England,  taken 
in  connection  with  his  petition  to  the  Governor  to  be 
permitted  to  form  a  Congregational  church,  or  a  sepa- 
rate assembly  of  the  Congregational  persuasion,  doubt- 
less suggests  the  reason  why  his  salary  was  not 
paid,  and  the  people  refused  to  fulfil  the  contract 
to  give  him  in  fee  the  land  set  apart  for  the  use  of 
the  minister,  provided  he  should  discharge  the  work 
of  a  minister  for  ten  years.  This  is  the  land  referred 
to  in  the  Act  of  the  town,  21st  April,  1753,  there 
said  to  have  been  continued  "  for  the  use  of  a 
minister  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination,  since  that 
time"  [1676].  Mr.  Prudden,  in  styling  himself 
"  quondam  minister,"  would  seem  to  indicate  that  he 
ceased  to  fill  the  office  when  the  ten  years  of  his 
engagement  expired.     In  1689  he  was  chosen  deputy 

*  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  Vol.  III.  p.  195. 


PKESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  71 

to  tlie  Colonial  Assembly,  by  the  town.  If  lie  resumed 
charge  of  the  congregation  it  is  probable  he  concluded 
to  conform  to  "  the  rules  of  the  Gospel  in  this  town," 
and,  instead  of  making  the  people  Congregationalists, 
himself  became  a  Presbyterian,  for  in  1692  he  was 
called  by  the  church  in  I^ewark,  N^.  J.,  which,  accord- 
ing to  Dr.  McWhorter*  was  Presbyterian  from  the 
beginning. 

In  the  extracts  from  the  Town  Pecords,  on  a  preced- 
ing page,  there  is  one,  under  date  of  April  the  3d, 
1688,  of  more  importance  as  to  the  question  under 
consideration,  than  at  first  sight  would  appear.  The 
clerk  was  appointed  to  write  a  letter  to  the  minister 
of  Woodbridge,  and  "  give  him  an  invitation  to  come 
amongst  us  to  dispense  the  word  of  God ;"  and  money 
was  contributed  to  meet  the  expense  of  sending  a 
messenger  to  bear  the  letter,  and  to  invite  "  the  minis- 
ter there  to  give  the  town  a  visit  in  order  to  settling 
amongst  us."  Now,  who  was  the  minister  of  Wood- 
bridge  ?  Woodbridge  I^.  J.  is  undoubtedly  meant.  The 
small  place  in  Connecticut,  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
Haven,  of  that  name,  could  not  have  been  settled,  or 
could  not  have  had  a  population  sufficient  to  form  a 
separate  congregation,  at  this  early  period.  The  Pev. 
Archibald  Piddell  was  the  minister  of  Woodbridge, 
]Sr.  J.  from  1686  to  1689.t  A  large  colony  of  Scotch 
people  settled  in  and  around  Perth  Amboy  as  early 
as  1681-5.  Two  vessels  arrived  in  1684,  one  hav- 
ing one   hundred  and    sixty,  the  other  one   hundred 

*  MS.  Hist,  of  Newark,  quoted  in  Dr.  Hodges'  Hist,  of  Pres.  Church. 
Vol.  I.  p.  43. 
t  Whitehead's  Contributions  to  E.  Jersey  History,  p.  384. 


72  HISTORY    OF    THE 

and  thirty  passengers.  In  1685,  George  Scot  of  Pi1> 
lochie,  connected  with  some  of  the  most  distinguished 
families  of  Scotland,  wrote  his  ''  Model  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Province  of  East  Jersey,"  the  object  of 
which  was  to  encourage  emigration,  and  sailed  himself, 
accompanied  by  nearly  two  hundred  persons.  He  says 
in  his  "  Model,  &c."  "  You  see  so  it  is  now  judged  the 
intererest  of  the  Government  altogether  to  suppress  the 
Pveshyterian  Principles  /  &  that  in  order  thereto  the 
whole  force  &  bensill  of  the  Law  of  this  Kingdom  are 
levelled  at  the  effectual  hearhig  them  down^  that  the 
vigorous  putting  these  Laios  in  execution,  hath  in 
great  part  ruined  many  of  these,  who  notwithstanding 
thereof  find  themselves  in  conscience  obliged  to  retain 
these  principles ;  while  in  the  other  hand  Episcopacy 
is  by  the  same  Laws  supported  and  protected."  He 
then  goes  on  to  urge  those  whom  he  addresses  to 
transport  "  themselves  thither  where  they  are  by  law 
allowed  the  free  exercise  of  their  principles  P  "^  George 
Scot  was  the  son  of  Sir  John  Scot  of  Scotstarbet  in 
Edinburghshire.  He  was  fined  a  thousand  pounds  for 
frequenting  the  conventicles  of  John  Welsh  and  Samuel 
Arnot,  and  was  again  fined  a  thousand  pounds  for 
''harbouring"  John  Welsh.  He  was  repeatedly  fined, 
and  on  one  occasion,  seven  hundred  pounds,  and  as 
often  cast  into  prison.  His  wife,  Lady  Pitlochie,  was 
also  fined  for  attending  conventicles.  At  length  he 
petitioned  the  Council  from  the  Bass  prison  for  his  re- 
lease,  engaging  to  "go  to  the  plantations,"   and  to 

*  Of  the  four  copies  of  the  original  edition  of  the  "Model,"  known  to  ex- 
ist, one  is  in  the  possession  of  Gov.  King  of  Jamaica.  It  is  reprinted  in 
Whitehead's  "E.  Jersey  under  the  Proprietors." 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHUKCH,    JAJVIAICA.  73 

take  with  him  Archibakl  Kiddell,  one  of  the  obnoxious 
preachers.  They  set  sail  September  5th,  1685,  in  the 
"  Henry  &  Francis,"  a  ship  of  three  hundred  and  fifty 
tons,  and  twenty  great  guns,  Hichard  Hutton  master. 
Soon  after  leaving  the  harbour  of  Leith,  a  fever  broke 
out  among  those  who  had  been  long  lying  in  loathsome 
prisons,  which  soon  assumed  a  malignant  type.  The 
mortality  was  dreadful.  Seventy  died,  among  them 
the  Laird  of  Pitlochie,  his  wife,  with  her  sister-in-law, 
Lady  Aithernie  and  her  two  children. 

The  Kev.  Archibald  Riddell,  a  zealous  and  pious 
preacher,  was  the  brother  of  Sir  John  Riddell.  The 
first  serious  proceedings  of  the  Government  against 
him  appear  to  have  been  prompted  by  his  connection 
in  some  way  wdth  the  rising  of  Bothwell  in  1679.  He 
was  arrested,  and  sent  first  to  the  tollbooth  in  Jed- 
burgh, and  from  thence  removed  to  the  prison  in 
Edinburgh.  He  was  summoned  before  the  Com- 
mittee of  public  aifairs,  and  although  he  convinced  his 
examiners  of  his  moderation  and  loyalty,  he  would 
not  clear  himself  from  the  charge  of  having  preached 
in  the  fields,  nor  promise  to  refrain  from  field-preaching 
in  future.  '^  I  know  not,"  he  said,  "  but  he  who  has 
called  me  to  preach  this  while  byegone  in  houses,  may, 
before  I  go  out  of  the  world,  call  me  to  preach  upon 
tops  of  mountains,  yea  upon  the  seas ;  and  I  dare  not 
come  under  any  engagements  to  disobey  his  calls." 
He  was  therefore  remanded  to  prison,  and  kept  there 
until,  on  the  application  of  Scot,  he  was  released  with 
the  view  of  emigrating  to  New  Jersey.  His  wife  died 
on  the  voyage.  He  took  charge  of  the  Congregation 
of  Woodbridge  within  a  month  after  his  arrival.  In 
4 


74  HISTORY    OF    THE 

1689,  in  consequence  of  tlie  political  clianges  in  his 
native  land,  he  set  sail  for  Scotland,  accompanied  by 
a  little  son  ten  years  of  age.  The  vessel  was  captured 
by  a  French  man-of-war,  and  after  being  marched  in 
chains  from  Kochefort  to  Toulon,  he  was  imprisoned 
nearly  two  years,  when  he  was  exchanged  and  allowed 
to  return  to  Scotland.  He  settled  at  Kirkaldie.  His 
daughter,  Janet,  married  James  Dundas,  son  of  Sir 
James  Dundas,  who  was  settled  at  Perth  Amboy.* 

Thus  it  appears  that  the  minister  of  Woodbridge, 
who  was  invited  to  come  and  settle  at  Jamaica,  to 
dispense  the  word  of  God,  was  one  of  the  Scotch 
worthies,  a  covenanter,  who  was  willing  to  go  to  prison 
or  to  death  rather  than  renounce  his  principles. 
"Wodrow  refers  to  the  call  he  received  from  Long- 
Island,  and  declined. t  The  records  exhibit  a  zeal  on 
the  part  of  the  people  of  Jamaica  to  secure  his  ser- 
vices, which  we  scarcely  observe  in  any  other  instance. 
The  letter  contained  a  formal  invitation  to  him  to  be- 
come the  minister.  In  the  next  minute,  that  of  August 
3d,  1688,  a  large  committee  is  appointed  to  secure  such 
a  minister  "  as  shall  suit  with  &  be  accepted  of  by 
the  toun."  There  seems  to  have  been  no  doubt  that 
Mr.  Riddell  would  suit  the  town,  as  they  knew  whence 
he  canie,  and  for  what. 

We  come  now  to  a  fact  which  clearly  settles,  if  that 
has  not  already  been  done,  what  was  meant  by  "  the 
rules  of  the  Gospel  in  this  town."  After  the  Rev.  Jer- 
emiah Hobart,  who  had  been  minister  at  Hempstead 
and  succeeded  Mr.  Prudden  here,  had  supplied  the 
place  for  a  short  time,  the  Pev.  John  Hubbard  became 

*  Whitehead's  Gqutributions,  and  Wodrow's  History.  f  IV.  335. 


PKESBYTERIAN    CHUECH,    JAMAICA.  75 

minister;  and  we  have  this  significant  record  in  regard 
to  him :  "At  a  town  meeting  held  at  Jamaica,  'Nov. 
25,  1700,  it  was  agreed  by  vote  that  whereas  Mr.  John 
Hubbart  hath  continued  here  among  us,  in  this  town, 
in  the  present  work  of  the  ministry,  some  considerable 
time,  the  town  does  show  their  willingness  to  continue 
him  still,  &  to  have  him  ordained  accordingly,  pro- 
vided it  be  according  to  the  rule  and  way  of  the  Pres- 
byterian way^  &  it  is  the  iinanimoits  mind  of  the 
town  that  he  be  ordained  accordingly,  &  that  every 
man  shall  pay  toward  the  ordination  as  much  as  he 
shall  see  cause  to  pay."  Hubbard  is  always  called,  in 
Smith's  History  of  JN^ew  York,  a  Presbyterian. 

It  may  be  added  that  on  the  occurrence  of  the  first 
vacancy  in  the  pulpit,  after  the  formation  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Philadelphia,  the  Pev.  George  McMsh,  one 
of  the  original  members  of  that  presbytery,  in  the 
spring  of  ITIO,  was  called  to  be  minister.     There  have 
been  ruling  elders  in  the  congregation  from  time  im- 
memorial.    In  the  earliest  records  of  the  church,  it  is 
never  styled  any  thing  but  Presbyterian ;   there  are, 
however,  no  records  or  minutes  running  past  the  mid- 
dle of  the  last  century.     On  the  inside  of  the  cover  of 
the  register  of  the  church,  the  following  is  written : 
"  This  book  is  the  gift  of  Mr.  Daniel  Smith,  one  of  the 
Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and 
Congregation   of  this   town   of   Jamaica  in   Queen's 
County,  in  the  Province  of  l^ew  York,  for  the  use  of 
said  congregation,  in  &  by  his  last  will  &  testament, 
bearing  date  the  14:th  day  of  July,  1753,  &  who  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  15th  day  of  October,  1754,  being 
90  years  and  7  months  old."    The  book  was  bought  in 


76  HISTOEY    OF   THE 

1755,  and  this  inscription  aj)pears  to  have  been  made 
by  Mr.  Hinchman,  the  purchaser.  It  appears  that 
Mr.  Smith  was  born  some  eight  or  nine  years  before 
the  formation  of  the  church.  He  probably  acted  as 
an  elder  from  a  very  early  period. 

What  do  these  facts  indicate  as  to  "  the  rules  of  the 
Gospel  in  this  town,"  or  the  form  of  church  govern- 
ment most  approved  by  a  majority  of  the  people  ?  Of 
course,  it  is  not  to  be  presumed  that  the  church  was 
organized,  in  all  respects,  or  transacted  its  business  al- 
ways in  accordance  with  Presbyterial  rule,  before 
there  was  a  Presbytery  to  organize  and  preside  over 
churches,  and  license  and  ordain  ministers.  It  is  only 
supposed  that  they  endeavored  to  act,  so  far  as  it  was 
possible  in  their  circumstances,  on  Presbyterial  princi- 
ples, somewhat,  probably,  as  the  Presbyterians  of  Ire- 
land did,  prior  to  the  formation  of  the  first  Presbytery 
in  that  country,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  bishops 
of  the  Anglican  church  ;  i.  e.  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Church  of  Holland,  the  model  of  which  church  was 
expressly  secured  to  the  people,  at  the  time  of  the  sur- 
render of  the  province  to  the  English,  in  1664.'^  The 
Dutch  ministers  who  inductedf  Mr.  Yesev,  the  first 
rector  of  Trinity  Church,  by  order  of  Gov.  Fletcher, 
may  have  ordained  and  installed  some  of  the  first  pas- 
tors of  this  church.  To  the  Dutch  belongs  the  honor 
of  transplanting  Presbyterianism  to  this  continent. 
We  hazard  little,  therefore,  in  saying  that  the  church 
in  Jamaica  is  the  oldest  Presbyterian  church,  estab- 

*  Articles  of  Surrender. 

t  Dr.  Brovvnlee's  Hist,  of  Ref.  D.  Ch.  in  America.    Letter  of  Rev.  Dr.  De 
Witt  to  the  author. 


PEESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  77 

lished  by  the  English,  in  America.  It  had  been  in  ex- 
istence some  eight  or  ten  years  before  Francis  Makem- 
ie,  usually  styled  the  father  of  American  Presbyter- 
ianism,  arrived  in  Maryland.  It  is  evident  from  the 
letters  of  Gov.  Stuyvesant  and  the  New  York  minis- 
ters, that  the  Dutch  had  a  warm  side  towards  Presby- 
terians, as  being  one  in  faith  and  order  with  them, 
whilst  they  looked  with  doubt  or  suspicion  on  other 
denominations,  who  sought  to  establish  themselves 
within  the  province. 

A  town  meeting  on  the  10th  day  of  June  1689 
Mr  Prudden  &  Nathaniel  Denton  Senior  was  chosen  to 
go  to  York  to  meete  with  the  rest  of  the  deputis  of  the 
respective  townes  for  to  consider  &  advise  one  with  an- 
other of  what  shall  be  for  the  good  welfare  &  service  of 
the  contrey  &  to  act  with  the  rest  of  the  deputies  in  any 
thing  that  may  tend  therunto  &  also  if  they  shall  see  cause 
to  make  any  aplication  to  our  Sovereign  King  &  Queen 
for  any  thing  that  may  tend  to  the  good  of  the  whole 
CoUony  to  act  with  them. 

By  order  of  the  Town  per  me 

Nathaniel  Denton^ 

Clerk 

Jamaica  a  town  meetino-  called  the  19th  June  1689  Mr 
John  Prudden  and  Mr  Daniel  Whithead  was  chosen  for 
deputis  for  this  towne  of  Jamaica  to  meete  with  the  rest 
of  the  deputis  of  Queens  County  for  the  chusing  of  two 
committy  men  out  of  the  County  for  to  go  to  Yorke  to  sit 
as  a  committy  of  safety  &  also  together  with  the  rest  of 
the  Deputies  to  give  the  two  men  that  are  chosen  by  them 
their  instructions  &  power  how  fir  &  in  what  the  two 


78 


HISTOKY    OF   THE 


Committee  men  shall  act  &  do  when  they  come  to  York 
by  order  of  the  Town 

23er  me  Kathaniel  Dentox 

Clerk 

Records  I.  p.  126. 

December  the  6  Anno  1689  A  town  meetmcr  called  It 
was  there  &  then  voted  &  concluded  that  there  shall  be  a 
meeting  house  built  in  this  town  of  Jamaica  60  foot  lono- 
&  30  foot  wide  &  every  way  else  as  shall  be  convenient 
&  comely  for  a  meeting  house. 

Jan  9  1689 
a  town  meeting  called  It  was  there  &  then  voted 
&  concluded  that  Danl  Whithead  William  White  Joseph 
Smith  &  Nathaniel  Denton  shall  be  the  men  to  procure  <fc 
agree  with  such  a  workman  or  Avorkmen  as  they  shall  see 
cause  for  the  building  &  finishing  such  a  meeting  house 
as  is  above  mentioned  for  length  &  width  &  every  thing 
else  that  shall  be  convenient  &  comely  &  what  these  four 
men  above  mentioned  shall  do  the  town  will  stand  by 
them  &  perform  what  agreements  they  make  in  paying  ac- 
cording to  their  abilities  or  estates  proportionably  by  or- 
der of  the  town 

Per  me  Nathaniel  Dexton 

Clerk 

A  toAvn  meeting  called  the  22d  of  January  1689  or  90 
the  town  did  vote  &  conclude  that  Capt  John  Carpenter 
&  Nehemiah  Smith  shall  be  added  to  the  four  men  before- 
named  for  the  agreeing  with  a  workman  or  workmen  for 
the  building  of  a  meeting  house  &  what  they  six  men  or 
the  major  part  of  them  shall  do  the  town  to  stand  by  it 
by  order  of  the  town 

per  me  Nataxiel  Dextox 

Clerk 


PKESBYTERIAN    CHUKCII,    JAMAICA.  79 

At  a  town  metting  held  att  Jamaica  August  y^  21*'' 
1691  :  It  was  voated  &  concluded  that  upon  sum  pro- 
possalls  mad  by  Mr.  John  Pruden  to  y^  town  about  his  ar- 
rerages  &  for  his  inceragement  to  continue  amongst  us 
that  six  men  be  chosen  to  agree  dibate  &  conclude  y® 
matters  as  well  for  his  arrerages  as  for  his  further  contin- 
uancy  in  y"  ministry  &  make  report  to  y^  town  theroff  as 
spedely  as  possible 

at  y®  same  town  meeting  it  was  voated  &  concluded  y* 
Capt  Whithed  Capt  Carpenter  Joseph  Smith  Jonas  Wood 
Samuell  Denton  &  Wait  Smith  are  chosen  to  agree  with 
Mr.  John  Pruden  according  to  y^  above  record. 

Records  I.  p.  183. 

At  a  town  metting  y®  5  :  day  of  August  1691  the  maior 
partt  of  y®  people  that  was  then  there  did  Except  of  Mr. 
Pruden's  proposall  to  y^  metting.  Records,  I.  p.  I6i. 

At  a  town  mettmg  held  y''  2d  day  of  September  1691  : 

it  was  voted  &  concluded  that     the  record  made  y^  1 9th 

of  June  1676*  conserning  Mr  Pruden  should  be  establisht 

&  confirmd  in  every  poynt  exactly 

By  Saml  Ruscoe 

Clark 

Records  I.  p.  184. 

At  a  towne  meting  caled  &  held  the  3d  day  of  Septem- 
ber 1691 :  it  was  voated  &  concluded  that  Mr  Pruden 
shall  have  three  score  pounds  y*  yeare  payd  him  &  his 
feyer-wood  free  for  which  Mr  Pruden  duering  the  time  he 
stayeth  amongst  [us]  is  to  perform  the  office  of  a  minister 
amongst  us 

according  to  gospel  rules         By  Sam  Ruscoe 

town  dark 

r  Records  I.  p.  131. 

August  23d,  1692,  Mr.  Prudden  received  a  call  from 

*  See  page  G2  of  this  volume. 


80 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


the  First  Presbyterian  Clmrcli,  Newark,  IST.  J.,  to  suc- 
ceed Mr.  Pierson,  which  he  accepted.  He  continued 
the  minister  of  that  Church  till  June  9th,  1699,  when, 
for  some  cause  not  now  known,  the  pastoral  relation 
was  dissolved.  He  died  at  l^ewark,  December  11th, 
1Y25.     His  epitaj)h  is  as  follows  : 

Here  lies  the  hody  of  the  Hev.  Mr. 

John  Priidden^  minister  of  the 

Gospel^  who  dejparted  this  life 

11  Dec.  1725,  aged  80  tjears. 

!N'0R  GRACE,  NOR  FAVOUR  FILLS   MY   REINS, 
Lo,  ROOM  FOR  THEE  REMAINS. 

Dr.  McWhorter,  in  a  sermon  preached  January  1st, 
1801,  says  that  "he  sustained  a  worthy  character,  as  a 
man  of  sense  and  religion,  though  he  does  not  appear 
to  have  been  a  popular  preacher."  His  descendants 
are  numerous,  and  reside  chiefly  in  Morris  Co.,  I^.  J. ; 
but  numerous  descendants  of  his  daughters,  Joanna, 
wife  of  ^Nathaniel  Moore,  and  Keziah,  wife  of  Elnathan 
Baldwin,  reside  in  Pennington,  and  other  j)arts  of 
Mercer  Co.* 

*  See  the  Rev.  George  Hale's  Letter  in  the  Addenda. 


PRESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  81 


CHAPTEE    IT. 
1692-1699. 

FIRST  MOVEMENT  TOWARDS  ERECTING  THE  STONE  MEETING  HOUSE  —  APPLICA- 
TION TO  THE  ASSEMBLY  —  VANE  A  TARGET  TO  BRITISH  SOLDIERS  IN  THE 
REVOLUTION — DATE  ON  IT  —  STYLE  OP  THE  BUILDING —  JEREMIAH  HOBERT 
■ — GEORGE  PHILLIPS  —  HIS  "  DYOTT  "  PAID  FOR — PEOPLE  SEND  TO  THE 
"  MAIN  "  FOR  A  MINISTER  —  MR.  JONES,  LATE  OF  DANBURY  —  SUBSCRIPTION 
LIST  FOR  THE  SUPPORT  OF  A  MINISTER  —  VOTES  OF  THE  TOWN  RESPECT- 
ING MEETING  HOUSE  AND  MR.  PHILLIPS  —  THE  GOV.  PETITIONED  RESPECT- 
ING THE  SETTLEMENT  OP  MR.  HOBERT  —  DISPUTE  RESPECTING  MEETING 
HOUSE   SETTLED  —  ACCOUNT    OF    MR.    HOBERT  —  MEETING    HOUSE    FINISHED. 

IT  was  in  December,  1689,  as  we  liave  already  seen, 
that  the  initial  movement  was  made  by  the  town,  for 
the  erection  of  the  old  stone  church,  which  occupies  so 
important  a  place  in  the  history  of  this  congregation. 
At  another  town  meeting,  held  the  following  month,  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  procure  and  agree  with 
workmen  to  construct  the  house.  In  1093,  the  people 
of  Jamaica  applied  to  the  Provincial  Assembly,  for  the 
passage  of  an  act,  to  enable  them  to  levy  or  collect 
money  for  this  purpose. 

Mr.  Faitoute  says  that  "  from  the  date  of  the  vane 
which  was  taken  down  from  the  steeple,  because  very 
much  injured  by  the  musket  balls  of  the  British 
soldiers,  who  were  continually  shooting  at  it  as  a  mark 
in  the  time  of  the  late  war,  it  appears  to  have  been 
completed  in  1693  or  1699 ;  two  dates  are  given,  as 

there  is  some  difference  in  the  opinion  of  those  who 
4* 


82  HISTOET    OF   THE 

saw  tlie  vane  after  it  was  taken  down"*  The  true  date 
probably  was  1699.  This  building  stood  near  the  mid- 
dle of  the  main  street,  not  far  from  the  head  of  what  is 
now  known  as  Union  Hall  street.  It  was  a  substantial 
stone  edifice,  of  a  quadrangular  form,  with  a  pyrami- 
dal roof,  and  belfry  in  the  centre ;  and  was  used  for  a 
house  of  worship  until  the  year  1813,  when  the  present 
church  was  erected ;  that  is,  for  about  one  hundred 
and  fourteen  years.  This  was  the  church  for  the  pos- 
session of  which  the  Presbyterians  contended  with 
Church  of  England  men,  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury ;  a  full  account  of  which  will  be  given  in  the 
proper  place. 

October  25th,  1692,  a  call  was  given  to  Rev.  Jeremiah 
ITobart,  or  Ilubbart,  minister  of  Hempstead,  but  he 
did  not  at  this  time  see  fit  to  accept.  June  8th,  1693, 
"  It  was  agreed  to  endeavour  to  procure  Mr.  Jones, 
late  minister  of  Danbury,"  to  be  minister  of  Jamaica. 
But  the  next  preacher  was  Mr. 

GEORGE  PHILLIPS 

who  labored  here  about  three  years,  from  1693  to  1696. 
He  was  a  licentiate  merely,  and  of  course  was  not  pas- 
tor of  the  church  ;  was  son  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Phillips 
of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  and  born  in  1664 ;  graduated  at 
Harvard  in  1686.  He  probably  left  this  place  on  the 
death  of  his  father  in  1696.  He  subsequently  went  to 
Brookhaven,  where  he  was  ordained  in  1702,  and  con- 
tinued pastor  to  his  death,  June  ITth,  1739.  He  is 
said  to  have  been  a  faithful  preacher,  and  extended  his 
labors  to  destitute  j)laces.     The  Hon.  Silas  Wood  says 

*  MS  Hist.,  written  in  1793. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  83 

of  him  that  "  he  was  distingaishecl  for  a  peculiar  vein 
of  natural  wit.  His  ordinary  discourse  was  tinctured 
with  this  peculiarity ;  and  tradition  has  preserved 
many  of  his  remarks  that  exemplify  it." 

Mr.  Phillips  was  probably  a  single  man  at  the  time 
he  lived  in  Jamaica,  as  we  find  the  town  agreeing  as  a 
part  of  his  salary  "  to  pay  for  his  dyott  where  he  shall 
be  dyated,"  i.  e.  to  pay  for  his  board.  In  another 
minute  the  word  is  spelled  "  diatt." 

At  a  town  mettino^  held  the  25th  of  October  1692  it  was 
voated  &  concluded  without  any  interruption  to  give  unto 
Mr.  Jeremiah  Hubbert  the  sum  of  sixty  pounds  yearly  to 
be  dewly  payed  according  to  y^  currant  markett  prise  & 
every  inhabitant  within  y^  s*^  township  to  cut  &  cart  him  a 
waggon  load  of  wood  all  this  to  be  duly  payd  &  perform- 
ed yearly  during  his  labour  in  the  ministry  amongst  us  p"" 
me  Saml  Rusoe  dark  Records  p.  163. 

at  y^  same  metting  Joseph  Smith  seanor  was  appointed 
&  chosen  by  a  generall  voat  to  carry  this  above  written 
copy  out  of  y^  records  to  Mr.  Hubberd  &  to  discourse  with 
him  about  anything  to  his  further  satisfaction 

Per  me  Sam  Ruscoe  dark 

Records  I.,  p.  165. 

Att  a  towne  metting  held  y*  9th  day  of  march  1692 
Joseph  Smith  was  choasen  to  acompany  Nehemiah  Smith 
to  y^  main"^  in  order  to  y^  procurement  of  a  minister  accord- 
ing to  a  former  order 

pr  Samuell  Ruscoe  dark 

Records  I.  p.  12-4. 

att  a  toun  metting  att  Jamaica  held  y'  1 7  of  September 

1692  Nehemiah  Smith  was  deputed  &  chosen  by  y'  persons 

at  s*  metting  for  to  goe  to  y'  main  in  order  to  y'  procuring 

*  New  Jersey  or  Conn. 


84  HISTORY    OF   THE 

of  a  minister  for  y  town  of  Jamaica  &  to  bring  him  over 
to  us  :  to  give  us  a  vissit  in  order  to  a  further  treatty  &  in 
case  such  a  one  doth  come  over  &  wee  doe  not  agree  with 
him  for  his  continuance  amongst  us  then  to  satisfy  him  for 
his  journey  in  coming  to  us  by  y^  town 

pr  Samuell  ItuscoE 
dark 

Records  I.  p.  127. 

June  y*  8  93  it  was  agreed  upon  to  indeavor  to  procure 
Mr  Jones  late  minister  of  danbery  to  be  our  minister  or  to 
give  us  avissitt  according  to  y^  tenor  of  this  above  record. 

Records  I.  p.  12'r. 

At  a  town  metting  held  y^  3*^  day  of  January  1692  it  was 
voated  &  concluded  that  Saml  Smith  Mr  Whithead 
Nehemiah  Smith  William  Creed  Wait  Smith  Xathaniel 
Denton  John  Carpenter  Junr  are  impowered  to  agre  upon 
procuring  a  settlement  convenient  for  a  parsonag  in  Ja- 
maica &  that  they  shall  have  liberty  to  make  sale  &  dis- 
pose of  what  parsinag  land  as  shall  to  them  seem  mett  & 
conveniant  for  y*'  procuring  thereof 

per  Saml  Ruscoe  dark 

Records  I.  p.  185. 

at  a  metting  held  at  Jamaica  y^  8  of  June  1693  it  was 
votted  &  agreed  that  y*"  mai°  partt  of  y®  seven  above 
named  shall  have  libberty  to  procure  y^  parsonage  house  & 
lot  either  by  exchaing  of  other  land  or  by  giving  of  money 
for  y*  same  John  Baylis  protests  against  the  giving  of 
any  land  Saml  Ruscoe 

dark 

Records  I.  p.  185. 

Att  a  toune  metting  held  att  Jamaica  January  y^  first 
169|  it  was  voated  &  concluded  upon  that  y^  parsonage  re- 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA. 


85 


maining  in  y^  hands  of  y^  town  thay  doe  engage  to  give  nn- 
to  Mr  Phillipes  the  money  raised  by  a  free  giiift  &  to  pay 
for  his  dyott  wher  he  shall  be  dyated  the  same  freely  given 
as  above  s*^  being  sixty  poundes  this  being  for  one  yeare 
from  y^  date  hereof  Per  Saml  Ruscoe  dark 

Records  II.  p.  548. 

Att  y  same  mettinge  it  was  voatted  that  John  Ow^eke 
&  Richard  oldfield  Samnell  Denton  &  Daniell  Smith  shall 
gather  the  sumes  promised  to  y^  minester  &  to  pay  it  to 
y*  minester  quarterly  from  y^  persons  hereafter  named  — 

Records  II.  p.  548. 


Capt  Whithead 

.  02 

00 

Sam  Smith  seor 

.  00 

15 

Mr  Harreson 

.  01 

10 

Joseph  Oldfield 

.  01 

00 

Ben  Thirston 

.       .  01 

00 

Tho  Welling 

.  00 

10 

Sam  Denton 

.       .  01 

00 

Ben  Coe 

.   00 

06 

Nath  Denton 

.  01 

10 

John  Cokefer 

.        .  00 

12 

Hope  Carpenter 

.  01 

00 

David  Lues  . 

.  00 

06 

Nehemiah  Smith 

.  01 

10 

Will  Sallyer 

.        .   00 

08 

Wait  Smith  . 

.  01 

05 

Ben  Wiggens 

.  00 

10 

Jos  Smith  seif^ 

.  01 

00 

Sam  Mathews 

.  00 

15 

Jos  Smith  J  . 

.  01 

00 

Sam  Carpenter 

.  00 

15 

Cap  Carpenter 

.  01 

10 

Ben  Smith    . 

.   00 

15 

Dan  Sexton  . 

.  00 

15 

MrWhitte    . 

.  01 

00 

Tho  Smith    . 

.  01 

00 

Hendrik  Arreson 

I       .  00 

06 

Capt"  Wollsey  [G 

^eo.]  01 

10 

Jonas  Wood 

.   01 

04 

Tho  Wollsey       . 

.  01 

00 

Tho  Wiggens 

.  00 

12 

John  Ludley 

.  01 

00 

John  Bayles . 

.  01 

10 

John  Smith  . 

.  01 

00 

Robt  Read   . 

.  01 

00 

Sam  Milles    . 

.   01 

00 

Nicoles  Everet    . 

.  01 

00 

Will  Creed  .       . 

.  01 

00 

Natt  Higbee 

.  00 

10 

John  Wollsey 

.  01 

00 

Hend  Hegeman  . 

.  00 

10 

Edward  Hare 

.  00 

15 

Jo""  Roads     . 

.  01 

00 

Nat  Smith    . 

.  00 

12 

AbleGalle    .       . 

.  00 

10 

86 


HISTORY    OF   THE 


John  Hanson       .  .  00  12 

Steven  Couert     .  .  00  05 

John  Brewer       .  .  00  05 

Hendrik  Lott      .  .  00  12 

Doros  [Polhemus]  .  00  12 

John  Ouke  .       .  .  00  10 

Dowe  Jansen      .  .  00  06 

John  Lambertts  .  .  00  06 

Jan  Monfort        .  .  00  07 

Garett  Lubertson  .  00  08 

Petter  Hendrikes  .  00  07 

Gerret  Jansen     .  .  00  06 

Jacob  Janson      .  .  00  06 
Johanes  Wilhamson     00  04 

Gerett  Classen    .  .  00  10 

Thos  Chambers  .  .  00  10 

Za  ry  Milles         .  .  00  10 

Widdow  Denton  .  00  06 

Richard  Green    .  .  00  12 

^Ig^ander   gnilth       .  .     00     08 

Joseph  Ludhira  .       .  00  15 

Tho  Humphreys        .  00  06 

Elder t  Lucas       .       .  00  12 

John  Snedeker    .       .  00  05 
Records  II.  p.  549. 

Jamaica  march  y^  8th  9|  ther  was  agreed  upon  betwixt 
Mr  Phillipes  &  the  townsmen  of  y^  above  s"^  towne  that  is 
that  Mr  Phillipes  is  to  have  all  y^  over  plush  of  y^  money 
freely  giuven  above  y^  three  score  pounds  &  to  take  y^  par- 
sonage into  his  own  hands  &  the  towne  to  pay  for  his  diatt 
for  y*  first  quarter  of  this  present  yeare : 

entered  per  me  Samll  Ruscoe  clarke 

Ivecords  II.  p.  523. 

at  a  mettinge  held  at  Jamaica  January  y^  first  169f  in 


John  Everitt 

00 

15 

Sam'^  Ruscoe 

00 

10 

John  Gale     . 

00 

06 

Richard  Oldfield 

01 

00 

Sam  Smith    . 

01 

10 

Capt"  Carpenter  Jun 

^■■01 

00 

Daniell  Smith 

00 

15 

Peter  Whitte      . 

00 

10 

Joseph  Phillipes 

00 

10 

jQjjthan    y^QQ^ 

00 

10 

Antho  Watters    . 

01 

00 

Will  Brinkley     . 

00 

15 

Will  Ludlum       .       . 

00 

10 

Ralph  Hunt 

00 

10 

Edward  Higbey 

01 

00 

Daniel  Thirston  . 

00 

15 

Edward  Burrowes 

01 

00 

Gershom  Wiggens 

00 

10 

Jo  than  Milles     . 

00 

10 

Sam  Dein 

00 

10 

Hendrik 

00 

10 

Josias  AYicjcrens  . 

.  00 

10 

Thos  Watters      . 

00 

12 

Timothy  Milles  . 

00 

05 

PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  87 

order  to  the  building  a  inetting  howes  for  y  towne  of  Ja- 
maica ther  was  choasen  John  Owkea  Samll  Dein  Saml 
Denton  Capt '  Carpenter  &  John  Smith  which  above  s*^  fivel 
men  are  to  devid  y^  towne  into  five  squadrans  &  to  see 
timber  &  stones  &  lime  all  gotten  &  fitted  proportionabley 
as  shall  be  nessesary  for  s^  worke         Sam  Ruscoe  clarke 

Records  II.  p.  523. 

att  a  towne  mettinge  called  by  order  from  y^  Justices  of 
this  County  att  Jamaica  febr  y^  17  169|  in  order  to  y* 
chois  of  two  vestrymen  persuant  to  an  act  of  Assembley : 
Nehemiah  Smith  &  William  Creed  was  choasen  to  be  ves- 
trymen for  Jamaica  &  to  mett  with  y"  rest  of  y®  vestry- 
men from  other  tounes  with  full  power  with  y*  rest  to 
chuse  two  churchwardens  &  to  ackt  as  the  s*^  act  of  As- 
sembly derickts  &  to  meett  on  tuesday  next  from  this 

date 

pr  Samll  Ruscoe  clarke 

Records  II.  p.  523. 

At  a  towne  mettinge  called  accordinge  to  ordere  held  at 
Jamaica;  Aprill  y®  S*^  169  [4]  then  agreed  upon  &  con- 
firmed by  a  publique  v  oatt  of  y®  inhabitants  in  generalle : 
that  Mr  Phillipes  now  our  present  minister  continumg  his 
lifietime  anongst  us  in  y®  above  toune  in  ye  worke  of  y* 
ministry  &  shall  dye  amongst  us  that  then  their  shall  be 
paid  unto  his  widow,  or  relict  left  amongst  us  one  years 
sallery  y^  sallery  beinge  sixty  poundes 

at  the  same  towne  mettinge  it  was  likewise  agreed  that 
y*  agreement  made  betwixt  Mr  Phillipes  &  y*  townsmen 
shall  stand  accordinge  as  it  is  entered  upon  record  before 
this  Records  II.  p.  494. 

The  foregoing  list^  is  given  in  full  for  several  reasons. 
It  probably  presents  a  pretty  accurate  catalogue  of  the 

*■  Pasje  85. 


88  HISTORY    OF   THE 

freeholders  of  the  town  at  its  date.  It  was  the  be- 
ginning of  a  new  method  of  supporting  the  minister ; 
that  is  to  say,  by  voluntary  contributions  or  subscrip- 
tions, rather  than  by  a  tax  laid  on  all  the  inhabitants. 
It  shows  also  that  the  Dutch  Presbyterians  cordially 
united  with  the  English  in  sustaining  Divine  worship. 
We  find  Jansen,  Ilendrikes,  Hegeman,  Snedeker, 
uniting  with  the  Dentons,  Carpenters,  Everitts  and 
Smiths.  The  record  clearly  implies  that  "  the  sumes 
promised  to  ye  minester"  were  quarterly,  not  annual 
subscriptions.  The  appointment  of  "  vestrymen,"  Feb- 
ruary 17th,  169f ,  was  imder  the  law  passed  by  the  As- 
sembly, the  preceding  September,  that  "  would  not  do 
well  for  the  Dissenters,  and  but  lamely  for  the 
Church." 

July  15  1697  att  a  towne  mettingit  was  farly  agreed  by 
lott  that  y^metting  howes  shall  be  betwixt  y^  sessions  howes 
&  ye  crossway  west  of  s*^  sessions  howes 

Saml  Ruscoe  dark 

Records  II.  p.  54.6. 

att  a  towne  metting  held  January  the  fui/i  169f  it  was 
agreed  &  concluded  by  voatt  that  there  shall  be  a  church 
erected  &  bult  in  this  towne  &  to  begine  s**  worke  this  nexte 
spring  in  march  ore  soneer  &  to  soe  follou  s*^  Avorke  with  all 
care  ct;  dilligence  that  may  be  untill  it  be  finishd 

Records  I.  p,  524. 

att  a  towne  mettinge  October  y^  2'^  1697  : — y^  west  end  of 
y*  town  dos  condesend  that  y®  mettinge  howes  shall  be  sett 
up  by  or  att  y^  most  convenient  jjlace  nere  y^  pund  y^  east 
end  pepeoll  j)rocuring  as  good  a  bell  as  flatt  bush  metting 
howes  bell  is  [one  line  illegible] 

Saml  Ruscoe  dark 

Jamaica  Records,  III.,  546. 


PRESBYTEEIAN    CHUKCII,    JAMAICA.  89 

At  a  towne  nietting  held  at  Jamaica  the  13*^  of  September 
1698  ther  Joseph  Smith  and  Jonas  Wood  was  choasen  & 
apoynted  to  treat  with  his  Excelency  in  &  about  setthnge 
&  estabhshinge  Mr  Hobert  amongst  lis  in  the  worke  of  y^ 
ministry  Records  I.  p.  159. 

At  a  tomie  meetinge  held  September  y^  13  1698  then  was 

deputed  [and  chosen,  erased  in  original]  Capt°  Carpenter, 

Capt°   Wollsey   Jonas    Wood    Benjamin   Thurston   Capt 

Whithed  Joseph  Smith  John  Smith   Edward   Burrougs 

John  Hansen  to  carrye  on  the  worke  of  a  church  or  mett- 

ings  house  them  or  the  mager  partt  of  them  &  to  see  y® 

same  truely  caryed  out  &  end.ed 

P'  Saml  Kuscoe  dark 

Records  I.  p.  81. 

At  a  towne  metting  called  according  to  order  at  Jamaica 
aprill  the  15  :  1698  the  peopell  &inhabetants  of  this  towne 
did  publicqly  signify  their  redines  &  willingenes  for  the 
continuinge  Mr  Hubertt  our  present  minester  in  the  worke 
of  y''  minestry  amongst  us  by  holding  up  ther  hands  in  a 
l^ublicq  voat     All  thes  aboves*^  orders  signed  &  past 

Saml  Ruscoe  clarke 

Records  II.  p.  524. 

At  a  towne  mettinge  held  at  Jamaica  January  y^  4  169f  it 
was  agreed  by  voat  that  John  Oke*  Richard  Oldlield  & 
Theodorus  Polhemus  &  Daniel  Smith  senior  shall  forth 
[with]  take  all  diligent  care  in  goeinge  about  amongst  the 
neaibourhod  to  see  what  money  can  be  raised  by  a  freewill 
offeringe  for  the  buildinge  of  y^  church  in  the  towne  of  Ja- 
maica &  to  make  retorne  to  y^  towne  of  what  sume  can  be 
Poised  Records  II.  p.  515. 

Whereas  ther  hath  ben  severall  differances  had  moven 

*  Present  pastor's  name,  0 key. 


90  HISTOKY   OF   THE 

and  clependinge  within  the  tonne  of  Jamaica  in  Queens 
County  &  Island  of  Nassau  conserning  the  buldinge  or 
errectinge  a  mettinge  howes  or  church  within  s*^  town  : :  & 
as  alsoe  the  accountes  &  demands  &  charges  thereunto  &g 
which  with  all  other  controversies  had  moveing  or  depend- 
inge  or  any  wais  relatinge  thereunto  being  this  day  mew- 
tually  refered  by  Daniel  Whitthead  Esq"  Joseph  Smith 
Esquier  Xicolas  Eavrett  Esq'''"  Edward  Burrowes  Jonas 
Wood :  of  the  one  party  &  Fredrick  Hendricksen  John 
Okea  Will"  Creed  Hendrik  Lott  Doros  Polhelmus  Elderd 
Lewkes  &  Robertt  Read  of  the  other  parties  on  behalf  of 
themselves  &  others  conserned  have  this  day  referd  all  the 
said  matter  &  differance  in  controversy:  unto  the  finall 
hering  &  determination  of  John  Coe  Esq"  Judg :  Samuell 
Edsall  Esq  &  Content  Titus  Esq"  Justices  &  we  doe  for  us 
our  heires  Excecutores  &  administratores  oblidge  ourselves 
joyntly  &  severally  in  the  penal  sume  of  one  hundred 
poundes  current  moneys  of  New  York :  unto  each  other 
his  heirs  excecutors  or  adminestratores  to  be  paid  unto  the 
parties  observant  by  the  parties  defective  in  the  perform- 
ance of  the  award  of  the  above  s*^  parsones  as  wittnes  our 
hands  &  seals  in  Jamaica  this  15  of  Aprill  1701  &  in  y^  13^'' 
yeare  of  his  majest^  reigne  y^  3"^  &c  : 

DANIEL   WHITHEAD  WILL""   CKEED 

NICOLAS    EAYERITT  HENDRICK   LOTT 

JOSEPH    SMITH  ELDEED   LUKES 

JONAS  WOOD  FREDEIKE    HEXDRIKES 

JOHN    OKE  THEODORUS    POLHEMUS 

Signed  sealed  &  delivered  in 
presence  of 

JOHN   HARRISON 

PETER    CHACKE    [of  NewtOWu] 

a  true  copy  p""  Samll  Ruscoe  Clarke 

Records  II.  p.  SCO. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  91 

Jamaica  aprill  the  15'!l  1701  whereas  by  vertiie  &  power 
unto  us  delliverecl  by  the  within  [above]  obligation  &c  to 
heare  arbetratt  &  determine  &  finall  conclution  bringe  all 
&  eavery  the  controverties  therein  mentioned :  &  wee 
havinge  dewly  &  impartially  considerd  the  same :  & 
heringe  boath  parties  &c  doe  give  in  this  our  award  as  fol- 
io weth  :  viz  that  wee  award  all  thoos  at  the  west  of  Jamaica 
that  is  the  Duchmen  &  William  Creed  &  Robert  Read : 
that  hath  not  perfectly  &  wholly  payed  their  rattes  assessed 
for  the  buldin<ye  the  church  or  mettino;e  howes  in  Jamaica : 
shall  pay  their  severall  partes  unpaid  within  three  weekes 
after  this  date  then  them  &  their  heires  to  be  forever  ac- 
quitted of  any  claime  or  demand  whatsover  conserninge 
the  buldinge  or  erectinge  s*^  church  or  meetinge  howes  or 
any  disbursments  thereon :  &  the  parties  conserned  in  op- 
position to  each  other  in  s*^  controversy :  to  releas  Exon- 
eratt  &  acquitt  each  other  of  all  former  controverties  con- 
sernenge  s*^  church  or  mettinge  howes  :  desiringe  thay  may 
amecably  agree  &  live  in  love  together  &  this  we  give  in 
as  our  award  as  under  our  hands  &  scales  the  above  s*^  date. 

JOHN    COE 
SAMUELL   EDS  ALL 
CONTENT   TITUS* 

a  trew  copy  p*"  Sam'^  Ruscoe  clarke 

Records  II.  p.  S61. 

The  Mr.  Hobert  referred  to  in  the  record  of  the  13tb 
of  September,  1698,  lias  been  supposed  to  be  the  Rev. 

JEREMIAH  HOBART 

of  Hempstead,  to  whom  an  invitation  had  been  pre- 
sented in  1692.  As  his  name  is  sometimes  written 
Hubbert  in  the  Records,  and  Hiibart,  lie  has  often  been 
confounded  with  the  Rev.  John  Hubbard,  his  succes- 

*  Euling  Elder,  Newtown. 


92  HISTORY    OF   THE 

sor.  He  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Peter  Hob  art,  wlio 
came  to  'New  England  in  1635.  The  late  Eev.  J.  H.  Ho- 
bart,  D.D.,  a  bishop  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  is  said  to 
have  sprung  from  the  same  family. 

Jeremiah  Hobart  was  but  five  or  six  years  of  age 
when  his  father  emigrated  to  this  country.  He  studied 
at  Harvard,  where  he  graduated  in  1650.  He  com- 
menced his  labors  as  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel  at  Tojds- 
field,  Mass., -and  was  ordained  at  that  place  in  1672. 
He  was  called  to  Hempstead,  May  6th,  1682,  after  that 
place  had  been  destitute  of  stated  preaching  for  almost 
twenty-five  years. 

In  further  explanation  of  this  Record,  it  may  be  ob- 
served that  the  Governors  of  the  colony,  by  their  inter- 
pretation of  the  act  of  1693,  claimed  that  no  minister 
could  be  settled  without  their  special  license.  It  was 
this  disposition  to  meddle  with  ecclesiastical  affairs, 
which  led  very  soon  after  to  such  unhappy  conse- 
quences in  Jamaica. 

Mr.  Hobart's  ministry  here  was  short,  not  continu- 
ing over  one  or  two  years.  He  went  from  this  place 
to  Haddam,  Conn.,  where  he  was  installed,  Nov.  14th, 
1700,  and  where  he  died  on  the  Lord's  Day,  March 
17th,  1717,  aged  87,  having  preached  on  the  morning 
of  that  day.  His  daughter,  Sarah,  was  the  mother  of 
the  celebrated  David  Brainard. 

The  extracts  from  tlie  records  which  precede  also 
show  that  the  church,  the  first  movement  for  the 
erection  of  which  was  made  in  1689,  was  not  completed 
until  full  ten  years  after ;  and  that  the  work  was  accom- 
plished, imder  no  slight  embarrassment,  which  it  re- 
quired much  pei'severance  to  overcome.     Tlie  people 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  93 

were  not  fully  agreed  as  to  the  site  on  which  it  should 
stand.  All  the  matters  in  controversy  were  at  length 
referred  to  the  Justices,  who  brought  in  that  "  all  those 
at  the  West  of  Jamaica,  that  is  Dutchmen  &  William 
Creed  &  Robert  Read"  should  pay  their  assessments, 
and  be  forever  acquitted  of  any  other  claims.  Thus  the 
matter  was  settled.  The  stone  church  was  finished  and 
paid  for,  and  the  vane" — a  rude  imitation  of  the  Dove, 
sacred  emblem  ! — that  swung  to  the  winds  of  a  cen- 
tury,— began  its  silent  monitions  to  the  passers  and 
worshippers  below. 

*  This  vane  was  formerly  in  possession  of  the  late  Judge  Lamberson's 
familj. 


94  HISTOIiT    OF    THE 


CHAPTEKY. 
1700-1724.. 

JOHN  HUBBARD  —  ORDAIXED  IN  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  WAT  —  VESTRYMEN  AND 
CHURCHWARDENS  ELECTED  —  SILAS  WOOD,  ESQ. — REV.  ME.  THOMAS,  HEMP- 
STEAD—  COTTON     MATHER     ON     JAMAICA —  CHIEF     JUSTICE     SMITH     ON     THB 

JAMAICA    TROUBLES  —  *'  WATCH    TOWER,"  LIVINGSTONE,    SCOTT    AND    SMITH 

CORNBURY's  ORDERS  TO  INQUIRE  INTO  THE  RIOT,  AND  TO  MR.  HUBBARD  TO 
VACATE  THE  PARSONAGE — ORDER  TO  WARDENS  AND  SHERIFF  TO  SELL  THB 
CORN — ORDER  TO  LAY  TAX  AND  FINE  THE  WARDENS  AND  VESTRY  FOR  RE- 
FUSING—  REV.  MR.  BARTOW's  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  RIOT — MR.  HUBBARD's 
DEATH  —  REV.  P.   GORDON    BURIED  UNDER   THE    CHURCH —  REV.  W.  URQUHART 

—  REV.  F.  Goodhue's  call  and  commission —  his  early  death  —  elegant 

LATIN  LINES  ON  HIM  —  REV.  G.  m'nISH  CALLED  —  THE  CHURCH  TAKEN  POS- 
SESSION OF  BY  THE  PRESBYTERIANS  —  ACCOUNT  OF  MR.  m'nISH  —  THE  PER- 
SECUTION CONTINUES  —  MEMORIAL  OF  THE  PEOPLE  TO  THE  GOVERNOR  — 
S.  CLOWES  INFORMS  OF  THE  RIOT  IN  1710  —  ORDERS  AND  FINES  IN  RE- 
SPECT TO  IT  —  REV.  THOS.  POYER  —  MEMORIAL  OF  THE  CLERGY  IN  RE- 
SPECT TO  HIM  —  GOV.  HUNTER,  COL.  MORRIS  AND  COL.  HEATHCOTE  ON  THE 
CHURCH  DIFFICULTIES  —  SUBJECT  BROUGHT  BEFORE  THE  QUEEN  IN  PRIVY 
COUNCIL  —  THE  LAWSUIT  —  MR.  m'nISh's  CHARACTER  AND  SERVICES  —  HIS 
DEATH  —  REV.  ROBERT  CROSS  —  EJECTMENT  SUIT  DECIDED  AGAINST  MR. 
POYER  —  GOV.  BLRNET  TO  BISHOP  OF  LONDON  —  MR,  POYEK  AND  MR. 
CAMPBELL    TO    SECRETARY  —  THE    CHURCH    RECOVERED. 


I 


T  was  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Robert's  successor, 
the  Rev. 

JOHN    HUBBARD, 

that  the  memorable  controversy  for  the  church  property 
commenced.  He  was  born  in  Ipswich,  Mass.,  in  1677, 
and  graduated  at  Cambridge  in  1695.  In  tlie  following 
minute,  referred  to  on  a  former  page,  when  considering 
the  Presbyterial  character  of  the  church,  his  name  first 
appears  in  the  records  : 


PKESBYTEEIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  95 

at  a  towne  mettinge  held  at  Jamaica  Nouember  the  25 
1700  :  it  was  agreed  by  voatt  that  whereas  Mr  John  Hob- 
bertt  hath  continued  here  amongs  us  in  this  towne  in  the 
present  worke  of  the  minestry  sume  considerrable  time  the 
town  dos  show  ther  wiUino-nes  to  continue  him  still  &  to 
have  him  ordained  acordingly  provided  it  be  accordinge  to 
y*"  Rule  &  way  of  the  jDresbetterrine  way  &  it  is  the  unan- 
omoss  mind  of  the  towne  thot  he  be  ordained  Acordingly 
&  that  every  man  shall  pay  towardes  the  ordaination  as 
much  as  he  shall  see  cos  to  pay. 

By  Samuall  Ruscoe   dark 

Records  II.  p.  454. 

As  Mr.  Hubbard  continued  at  Jamaica,  it  is  to  be 
presumed  he  complied  with  the  terms  of  the  above 
vote,  and  was  ordained  "according  to  the  rule  and 
way  of  the  Presbyterian  way."  It  is  not  improbable 
he  was  ordained  and  "inducted"  by  the  Dutch  minis- 
ters of  i!^ew  York. 

Under  the  act  of  1693,  for  the  settling  of  the  minis- 
try, Queens  County  was  divided  into  two  precincts  or 
parishes.  The  parish  of  Jamaica  included  the  towns 
of  Jamaica,  Flushing,  and  l!^ewtown,  and  w\as  required 
to  raise  £G0  by  a  tax  on  all  the  freeholders,  for  the 
support  of  the  ministry,  and  to  elect  churchwardens 
and  vestrymen.  Vestrymen  were  accordingly  chosen  in 
Jamaica  February  17th,  1693-4:,  to  meet  with  others  to 
be  chosen  from  the  other  towns.  Nehemiah  Smith  and 
William  Creed  were  chosen,  but  it  does  not  appear 
that  any  thing  was  done  by  them  in  this  capacity. 
They  were  elected,  probably,  to  comply  with  the  terms 
of  the  law,  but  the  law  itself  remained  dormant,  to  all 
intents  and  purposes,  nntil  the  accession  of  Cornbm*y 


96  HISTORY    OF   THE 

to  the  government.  In  January,  1702,  vestrymen  and 
churchwardens  were  again  chosen  (all  Presbyterians, 
of  course),  and  the  following  month  they  proceeded,  as 
empowered  by  the  act,  to  call  Mr.  Hubbard,  who  was 
already  their  minister,  to  be  the  minister  of  the  place. 
For  forty  years  the  people  of  Jamaica  had  been  of  one 
mind  in  matters  ecclesiastical ;  and,  up  to  the  date  just 
mentioned,  it  is  not  probable  that  a  single  Episcopalian 
had  settled  in  the  town.  ''  There  was  not,"  says  the 
late  Silas  "Wood,  Esq.,*^  "  an  Episcopalian  church  or  an 
Episcopal  minister  in  the  colony  of  New  York,  at  the 
time  of  the  conquest  in  1664,  and  if  there  were  any 
Episcopalians  among  the  inhabitants,  the  number  must 
have  been  very  small.  The  inhabitants  belonged 
either  to  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  or  were  English 
]^on-conformists."  The  Episcopal  population  w^as  very 
much  confined,  at  first,  to  the  city  of  New  York  ;  and 
the  first  Episcopal  church  in  the  province  was  erected 
in  that  city  in  1696.  The  Eev.  Mr.  Yesey,  the  first 
Episcopal  minister,  performed  divine  service,  for  the 
first  time,  in  Trinity  Church,  February  6th,  1697.  ''  Al- 
though the  statutes  of  uniformitv,"  continues  Wood, 
"  did  not  extend  to  the  colonies,  and  although  the  re- 
ligious constitution  of  the  colonyf  was  a  perfect  equal- 
ity among  Protestants  of  all  denominations,  yet  the 
colony  governors  strove  to  give  some  legal  ascendancy 
to  the  Episcopal  over  other  denominations.  They  in- 
corporated their  churches,  which  they  refused  to  the 
Presbyterians.  They 'obstructed  the  Presbyterian  min- 
isters who  came  into  the  colony,  in  the  exercise  of  their 
functions,  and,  under  the  pretence  of  ecclesiastical  au- 

*  Hist,  of  L.  I.,  p.  41.  t  See  Charter. 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHTJKCH,  JA^IAICA.  97 

thoritj,  required  them  to  apply  to  tliern  for  license  to 
preach."  As  late  as  1773,  according  to  the  same  au- 
thor, not  more  than  one  in  lifteen  of  the  population  of 
the  colonj^  were  supposed  to  be  Episcopalians.  The 
people  nevertheless  were  taxed  to  support  the  Episco- 
pal ministry,  exclusively,  under  the  act  of  1693;  an  act 
which  the  Assembly  declared  was  passed  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  Dutch  Eeformed  and  the  Presbyterians, 
equally  as  for  the  Episcopalians. 

It  is  admitted  that  the  old  stone  meeting-house  and 
parsonage  were  built  by  the  town,  and  the  parsonage 
lands  were  given  by  the  town  ;  but  this  was  done  when 
the  inhabitants  were  all  of  substantially  the  same  re- 
ligious faith.  This  property,  it  may  be  remarked  in 
passing,  ^vas  valuable  :*  according  to  a  letter  of  Cotton 
Mather  to  Messrs.  Eobinson  and  Keynolds,  of  London, 
the  parsonage  alone  w^as  estimated  to  be  worth  fifteen 
hundred  pounds.  The  valuable  glebe  attached  is,  no 
doubt,  to  be  included  in  this  estimate.  There  is  not 
the  least  evidence  that  there  was  a  single  member  of 
tlie  Church  of  England  residing  in  Jamaica  at  the  time 

*  Extract  of  a  Report  on  the  State  of  the  Church  in  the  Province  of  New 
York,  Anno  1704,  submitted  to  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts,  by  C.  Congreve. 

"  Queens  County  : 

"  At  Jamaica  there  is  a  tolerable  good  church  built  of  stone,  a  Parsonage 
house,  an  orchard  and  200  acres  of  land  belonging  to  it,  and  £60  per  ann 
settled  by  Act  of  Assembly  for  maintenance  of  the  minister  who  is  Mr  Wil 
ham  Urquhart,  lately  arrived.  There  is  in  the  Church  a  Common  Prayer 
Book  and  a  cushion,  but  no  vestments  nor  vessels  for  the  communion  table 
The  churchwardens  and  vestry  are  chosen  by  a  majority  of  the  parish,  who 

are  chiefly [blank  in  the  MS]   and  the  churchwardens,  when  chosen 

would  never  qualify  themselves  according  to  law,  and  refuse  soon  to  pro- 
vide bread  and  wine  for  the  Holy  Sacrament,  at  which  there  is  now  about 
twenty  communicants,  in  a  great  measure  brought  over  to  an  entire  con- 
formity by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mott.    There  is  in  this  parish  near  200C  souls." 
5 


98  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

the  church  was  built ;  much  less  when  this  property 
was  set  apart  for  the  support  of  a  minister.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Thomas,  missionary  at  Hempstead,  thus  wrote  to 
the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,  March  1st,  1705:  "The  people  of  Hempstead 
are  better  disposed  to  peace  and  civility  than  they  are 
at  Jamaica,  yet  my  lord's  (Cornbury's)  countenance, 
next  to  the  Providence  of  Heaven,  is  my  chiefest  safe- 
ty. I  have  scarce  a  man  in  the  parish,  truly  steady 
and  real  to  the  interest  and  promotion  of  the  church, 
any  further  than  they  aim  at  the  favour  or  dread  the 
displeasure  of  his  lordship."  If  there  was  scarce  a  man 
at  Hempstead  favorable  to  "  the  Church,"  where  the 
people  were  so  much  better  disposed  than  at  Jamaica, 
it  is  absurd  to  maintain  that  "  churchmen,"  could  have 
had  any  hand  in  building  the  church,  or  a  valid  claim 
to  any  of  the  church  property  in  this  place.  It  is 
not  improbable  there  were  some  here,  as  at  Hemp- 
stead, who,  after  the  strenuous  exertions  of  the  mission- 
aries for  four  or  live  years,  and  the  violent  acts  of 
usurpation  on  the  part  of  the  governor,  would,  to  secure 
the  favour  of  his  lordship,  profess  to  be  Episcopalians. 
The  following  is  an  extract  of  a  joint  letter,  dated  July 
4th,  1705,  of  Messrs.  Urquhart,  of  Jamaica,  and  Tho- 
mas, of  Hempstead,  to  the  Society  :  "The  ancient  set- 
tlers have  transplanted  themselves  from  Isew  England, 
and  do  still  keep  a  close  correspondence,  and  are  buoy- 
ed up  by  schismatical  instruction"^  from  that  interest, 

*  Cotton  Mather's  Letter  to  Messrs.  Robinson  and  Reynolds  shows  that 
he  took  ^  deep  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  church  at  Jamaica.  The  follow- 
ing is  an  extract:  "  At  the  same  time  there  is  a  town  called  Jamaica,  on 
Long  Island,  under  the  government  aforesaid;  a  town  consisting  of  consid- 
erably above  an  hundred  families,  and  exemplary  for  all  Christian  know 


PKESBTTEKIAN   CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  99 

which  occasions  all  the  disturbance  and  opposition  we 
meet  with  in  both  our  parishes.  They  have  hitherto 
been  used  to  a  dissenting  ministry,  and  they  still  sup- 
port one  at  Jamaica,  which  has  a  most  pestilential  in- 
fluence over  our  people,  who,  from  their  cradles  were 
disaffected  to  conformity."  J^othing,  therefore,  can  be 
more  evident  than  that  those  who  had  been  trained  up 
under  "a  dissenting  ministry,"  and  who  were  disaffect- 
ed to  conformity  from  their  cradles,  were  the  men  who 
built  the  church  and  gave  the  property  in  question. 
To  some  account  of  the  controversy  which  took  place 
respecting  this  property,  and  which  lasted  for  twenty- 
five  years,  T  shall  now  proceed. 

I  quote  first  from  the  History  of  'New  York  by  Wm. 
Smith,  formerly  of  I^ew  York,  and  late  Chief  Justice 
of  Lower  Canada. 

"  The  summer  following  (the  arrival  of  Lord  Cornbury, 
in  1702,)  was  remarkable  for  the  uncommon  mortality 
which  prevailed  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  makes  a 
grand  epoch  among  our  inhabitants  distinguished  by  the 
'  time  of  great  sickness.'     On  this  occasion  Lord  Cornbury 

ledge  and  goodness,  and  a  church  with  a  worthy  pastor  in  it.  About  half  a 
score  of  families  (and  of  meaner  character)  in  this  town  declared  for  the 
Church  of  England,  and  thereupon  a  minister  of  their  profession  was  sent 
to  them  (one  Urquhart),  who  is  maintained  by  the  aforesaid  society.  But 
this  little  company  having  the  advantage  (right  or  wrong)  to  be  uppermost, 
took  away  from  the  dissenters  (if  it  be  proper  to  call  such  a  disproportionate 
number  so)  their  meeting-house,  computed  to  be  worth  six  hundred  pounds, 
and  compelled  them  to  build  another.  They  also  seized  the  Parsonage, 
vehich  had  been  until  now  enjoyed  by  the  town,  and  is  esteemed  worth  fif- 
teen hundred  pounds. — The  good  people  there  do  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God 
their  Saviour  by  a  most  laudable  silence  and  wonderful  patience  under 
these  things.  But  if  such  things  proceed,  that  noble  Society  for  the  Prop- 
agation of  Religion  in  America  will  greatly  wound  religion,  and  their  own 
reputation  also,  which  ought  to  be  for  ever  venerable."  This  was  dated  14th 
October,  1706. 


100  HISTORY    OF    THE 

had  his  residence  and  court  at  Jamaica,  a  j^leasant  village 
on  Long  Island,  distant  about  twelve  miles  from  the 
city.* 

cc  *  *  *  rpj^g  inhabitants  of  Jamaica  had  erected  an 
edifice  for  the  worship  of  God,  and  enjoyed  a  handsome 
donation  of  a  parsonage-house  and  glebe,  for  the  use  of  their 
minister.  After  the  ministry  act  was  passed  by  Colonel 
Fletcher,  in  1693,  a  few  Episcopalians  crept  into  the  town, 
and  viewed  the  Presbyterian  church  with  a  jealous  eye. 
The  town  vote,  in  virtue  of  which  the  building  had  been 
erected,  contained  no  clause  to  prevent  its  being  hereafter 
engrossed  by  any  other  sect.  The  Episcopal  party,  wiio 
knew  this,  formed  a  design  of  seizing  the  edifice  for  them- 
selves, w^hich  they  shortly  after  carried  into  execution  by 
entering  the  church  between  the  morning  and  evening 
service,  while  the  Presbyterian  minister  and  his  congrega- 
tion were  in  perfect  security,  unsuspicious  of  the  zeal  of 
their  adversaries,  and  a  fraudulent  ejectment  on  a  day 
consecrated  to  sacred  rest. 

"  Great  outrage  ensued  among  the  people,  for  the  con- 
tention being  jpro  Aris  et  Focis,  was  animating  and  im- 
portant. The  original  proprietors  of  the  house  tore  up  their 
seats,  and  afterwards  got  the  key  and  the  possession  of  the 
church,  which  were  shortly  after  again  taken  from  them 
by  force  and  violence.  In  these  controversies  the  Governor 
abetted  the  Episcopal  zealots,  and  harrassed  the  others  by 
numberless  prosecutions,  heavy  fines,  and  long  imprison- 
ments, through  fear  of  which  many  who  had  been  active 
in  the  dispute,  fled  out  of  the  province.  Lord  Cornbury's 
noble  descent  and  education  should  have  prevented  him 
from  taking   part  in  so    ignominious  a  quarrel;    but   his 

*  Four  horse-carts  and  sixteen  wagons  were  hired  to  go  from  Jamaica 
to  Brooklyn  Ferry  for  Gov.  Cornbury's  efiects,  and  a  horse  for  the  trumpeter. 
— Mr.  Ouderdouk's  MS  Notes. 


PKESBYTEKTAIS'    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  101 

lordship's  sense  of  honour  and  justice  was  as  weak  and 
indelicate  as  his  bigotry  was  rampant  and  incontrollable ; 
and  hence  we  find  him  guilty  of  an  act  complicated  of  a 
number  of  vices,  which  no  man  could  have  perpetrated 
without  violence  to  the  very  slightest  remains  of  generosity 
and  justice.  When  his  excellency  retired  to  Jamaica,  Mr. 
Hubbard,  the  Presbyterian  minister,  lived  in  the  best 
house  of  the  town.  His  lordship  begged  the  loan  of  it 
for  the  use  of  his  own  family,  and  the  clergyman  put  him- 
self to  no  small  inconvenience  to  favour  the  governor's 
request ;  but  in  return  for  the  generous  benefaction,  his 
lordship  perfidiously  delivered  the  parsonage-house  into 
the  hands  of  the  Episcopal  party,  and  encouraged  one 
Cardwell,  the  sherifi^,  a  mean  fellow,  who  afterwards  put 
an  end  to  his  own  life,  to  seize  upon  the  glebe,  which  he 
surveyed  into  lots,  and  farmed  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Episcopal  party.  These  tyrannical  measures  justly  in- 
flamed the  indignation  of  the  injured  sufferers,  and  that 
again  the  more  embittered  his  lordship  against  them. 
They  resented,  and  he  prosecuted :  nor  did  he  confine  his 
pious  rage  to  the  people  of  Jamaica ;  he  detested  all  who 
were  of  the  same  denomination ;  nay,  averse  to  every  sect 
except  his  own,  he  insisted  that  neither  the  ministers  nor 
schoolmasters  of  the  Dutch,  the  most  numerous  persuasion 
in  the  province,  had  a  right  to  preach  or  instruct  without 
his  gubernatorial  license ;  and  some  of  them  tamely  sub- 
mitted to  his  unauthoritative  rule." — Vol.  I.  pp.  169-172. 

I  quote  next  from  'No.  17  of  a  Series  of  Articles, 
under  the  head  of  "  Watchtower,"  contained  in  the  IN'ew 
York  Mercury  for  June  2,  1755.  These  Articles,  ^vere 
written  by  Wm.  Livingstone,  J.  Morin  Scot,  -  and  Wm. 

*  Brig.-General  in  tlie  Revolution,  Member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  of 
the  State  Senate,  and  Secretary  of  the  State,  Died  September  16th,  1784.  On- 
derdouk's  Rev.  Incidents,  Queens  Co.  p.  67. 


102  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Smith,*  wlio  gave  £50  a  year  for  the  use  of  the  first 
page  of  the  aforesaid  paper. 

"Mr.  Hubbard,  the  Presbyterian  minister,  having  preach- 
ed to  his  congregation  on  Sunday  morning,  dismissed 
them  as  usual,  aUogether  unsuspicious  of  anv"  evil  designs 
against  him  or  his  peoj^le.  In  the  afternoon  he  returned 
to  his  church,  and,  to  his  great  surprise  and  astonishment, 
found  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  a  person  doubtless  of  a 
very  pacific  spirit,  reading  the  liturgy  to  a  handful  of 
auditors  Avho  had  devoutly  seated  themselves  in  the  pews. 
Mr.  Hubbard  had  not  the  least  intimation  of  the  trick,  till 
he  had  actually  entered  the  church,  and  upon  the  discovery 
of  it  left  his  pious  successor  to  the  sole  possession  of  the 
pulpit,  whilst  he  himself  peaceably  retired  to  an  orchard, 
where  he  preached  a  sermon  to  the  graver  part  of  his 
congregation,  who  followed  him.  All  of  them  were  not 
such  passive,  self-denying  Christians :  a  tumult  began  at 
the  church-door,  and  many  ran  in  and  tore  up  the  seats  of 
their  families,  for  which  some  were  afterwards  rigorously 
prosecuted,  and  others  who  escaj^ed  underwent  a  year's 
banishment. 

"  Xot  long  after  this  pious  ejectment,  the  Presbyterians 
got  the  key  of  the  church,  regained  possession,  and  locked 
up  the  doors.  But  early  in  the  morning  on  the  following 
Sabbath,  several  heroic  Episcopalians,  with  proper  instru- 
ments f  for  the  purpose,  forcibly  broke  open  the  church- 
doors,  and  retained  possession  till  the  parson  attended  the 
public  service.  The  Presbyterians  after  this  made  several 
fruitless  attempts  to  possess  themselves  of  then-  church, 
but  the  prosecutions  which  ensued  on  their  endeavors  were 
so  heavy  that  they  thought  proper  to  desist  from  any  fur- 

*  The  Historian. 

t  Mr.  Faitoute  says  in  his  MS  history,  written  in  1793,  he  had  been  in- 
formed by  an  aged  gentleman  that  a  crowbar  was  used. 


PRESBYTEKIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  103 

ther  attempts,  and  the  Episcopalians  held  the  possession 
of  it  for  nineteen  or  twenty  years  after,  till  it  Avas  recovered 
from  them,  with  the  parsonage-house  and  glebe,  in  a  due 
course  of  law,  about  the  year  1727. 

"  His  excellency  Gov.  Morris,  was  then  Chief  Judge  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  New  York,  and  sat  on  the  bench  at 
that  trial.  Such  was  the  resentment  of  the  Church  party 
on  the  loss  of  the  verdict,  that  Morris  himself  did  not 
escape  their  malignant  asi3ersions,  but,  so  late  as  1734,  was 
put  to  the  trouble  of  refuting  the  charge  of  partiality  on 
the  trial,  contained  in  a  public  representation,  sent  home 
aginst  him  while  he  was  in  England,  soliciting  his  restora- 
tion to  the  Chief  Justice's  place,  from  which  Governor 
Cosby  had  removed  him. 

"  The  parsonage-house  and  glebe  were  taken  away  in  a 
manner  not  so  violent,  yet  more  iniquitous.  Lord  Corn- 
bury,  to  flee  the  dreadful  mortality  which  triumphed  in 
New  York  City,  in  1 702,  retired  to  Jamaica,  and  in  a 
friendly  manner  entreated  Mr.  Hubbard  for  the  use  of  the 
parsonage-house  during  his  stay  in  the  country.  The 
clergyman  generously  put  himself  to  inconvenience  to 
oblige  him.  On  his  return  to  New  York,  Lord  Cornbury 
put  the  church  party  in  possession  of  the  house. 

"  Usage  so  base  enkindled  resentment  in  almost  every 
man's  breast,  and  the  country  was  full  of  strife  and  con- 
tention. Cardwell,  the  sherift',  under  protection  of  Lord 
Cornbury,  was  a  great  instrument  of  his  arbitrary  measures. 
He  seized  the  glebe,  surveyed  and  divided  it  into  lots, 
which  he  leased  out  for  the  benefit  of  the  Episcopal  de- 
nomination. Every  attempt  to  recover  their  rights 
plunged  the  people  into  new  difliculties :  they  were  indicted 
and  informed  against,  fined  and  imprisoned ;  and  many, 
to  escape  the  fury  of  the  Government,  fled  into  the  neigh- 
bourins:  colonies. 


104  HISTORY    OF    THE 

"Incensed  at  last  by  a  series  of  oppressions,  the  civil 
vestry  and  church-wardens  of  Jamaica,  Avho  were  elected 
by  the  major  vote  of  the  inhabitants,  called  Mr.  McNish,  a 
Presbyterian  clergyman,  to  be  their  minister,  hoping 
thereby  to  exempt  themselves  from  the  annual  tax,  raised 
by  virtue  of  the  Ministry  Act,  passed  March,  1693.  The 
project,  for  several  years,  had  its  expected  success.  The 
vestrymen,  to  aA'oid  the  censure  of  the  law,  annually  raised 
the  salary  as  had  been  usual.  But  Mr.  McNish  refused  to 
receive  it,  though  fir  the  greatest  part  was  a  tax  on  his 
own  congregation,  and  as  often  as  it  was  offered,  presented 
it  to  the  people  according  to  their  proportionable  assess- 
ments. Offended  at  this  stratagem,  the  Episcopalians  con- 
trived to  defeat  it,  and  again  recover  the  tax  for  their  own 
benefit.  To  that  end  the  justices  of  Hempstead,  w^ho 
were  creatures  of  the  Governor,  arbitrarily  intruded  their 
votes  amongst  the  A^estry  of  Jamaica,  and  carried  a  major 
voice  for  appropriating  the  salary  to  the  church  parson.  But 
as  their  right  of  sitting  there  w^as  protested  against  by  the 
vestry.  Lord  Cornbury,  to  secure  a  major  vote  foi"  the 
Episcopal  minister,  commissioned  no  less  than  sixteen 
Justices  of  the  Peace  for  the  single  parish  of  Jamaica. 
This  artifice  was  effectual,  the  number  of  vestrymen, 
church-wardens  and  justices  being  only  tw^elve.  But  w  hat 
right  these  tools  of  arbitrary  powder  had  by  virtue  of  the 
Act  of  Assembly,  or  any  other  law,  to  vote  with  the  vestry 
for  the  support  of  a  minister  whom  they  had  not  called, 
remains  to  this  day  an  inexplicable  mystery." 


PEESBYTEKIAN-    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  105 

ORDER 

To  the  Atorney  GeriK  to  enquire  into  a  riot  at  Jamaica. 

At  a  Council  held  at  ffort  Anne  this  21th  day 

of  July  1703. 

Present — His  Excell.  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury,  &c., 

Rip  Van  Dam  Esqr 

John  Bridges  Do'  of  Laws 
Sa :  Sh :  Bronghton  ^ 

William  Lawrence      '[>  Esqrs 

Gerard  Beekman        j 

His  Excell.  acquainted  this  Board  with  tw^o  Letters  from 
Jamaica  in  Queens  County,  giving  an  acco'  of  a  Riott 
committed  there  by  one  Hubbard  a  Dissenting  Minister 
and  others  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  Town.  Ordered 
that  the  Attorney  Gen"  doe  enquire  into  the  facts,  and  as 
they  shall  appear  to  him  prosecute  the  persons  according 
to  Law. 

By  order  of  his  Excell.  in  Councill, 

B.  CosEiS^s,  C^  Councij 
Endorsed,  Order  of  Councill  of  the  Tlih  July  1703 
For  the  Attorney  Generall. 

LORD    CORNBURY's    ORDER 

To  Rev  Mr  Huhhard  to  vacate  the  Parsonage  house. 

By   his    Excellency  Edward   Viscount   Cornbury  Capt  Genii. 

and  Governour   in    chief  of  the    Province  of  New   Yorke 

New  Jersey  cCr.,  &c. 

You  are  hereby  Required  to  dehver  the  Possession  of 
the  house  Lands  and  p'misses  wheron  you  now  dwell  and 
which  belongs  to  the  church  of  Jamaica  in  Queens  County 
to  y«  high  sherife  of  the  said  County  after  a  reasonable 
time  for  removing  your  goods  and  stock  from  the  p-'misses 
and  hereof  you  are  not  to  fail  at  your  perill.  Given  under 
5* 


106  HISTORY   OF   THE 

my  hand  att  fort  Anne  in  New  Yorke  this  fourth  day  of 

July  1704,  CORXBURY. 

To  Mr  John  Huhbard 


AN    ORDER   TO    THE    SHERIFF, 

To  eject  Rev.  Mr  Huhhard  from  his  house  in  Jamaica. 

By  His  Excellency   Edward  Viscount   Cornhury   Capt    Gen^^ 

and  Goven''  in   Chief  of  the  Province  of  New   Yorke  New 

Jersey  (he. 

Whereas  by  my  order  under  my  hand  dated  herewith  I 
haA^e  ordered  M""  John  Hubbard  to  deliver  the  possession 
of  the  house  land  j/misses  whereon  he  now  dwells  and 
which  belongs  to  the  church  of  Jamaica  in  Queens  County 
to  you  after  a  reasonable  time  for  removing  his  goods  and 
stock  from  the  p''misses.  You  are  therefore  hereby  requi- 
red to  deliver  the  possession  of  the  s*^  p''misses  after  you 
have  received  it  from  the  s"^  Mr  Hubbard  to  Mr  William 
Urquhart  and  if  it  happen  that  y*  s*^  Mr  Hubbard  shall  in 
contempt  of  my  said  order  refuse  to  deliver  y^  possession 
of  the  p'misses  to  you  as  aff'd,  then  and  in  such  case  you 
are  hereby  required  &  impowered  to  enter  on  y®  p''misses, 
and  possession  so  taken  to  deliver  to  the  said  Mr  Urquhart 
and  all  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  others  her  Majty's  officers 
both  civil  and  military  are  hereby  required  to  be  aiding 
and  assisting  unto  you  at  the  execution  hereof. 

Given  under  my  hand  att  fort  Anne  in  New  Yorke  this 
fourth  day  of  July  1704  Cornbury 

To  Tho  :  Cardell  Esqr 

High  Sheriff e  of  Queens   County 

Endorsed, 

An  order  to  the 

High  Sheriff e  of  Queens   County 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  JAMAICA.         107 
AN  ORDER 

To  the  Church  wardens  and  sheriff  of  Jamaica^  By  his 
Mvcell.  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury  Capt  Gei\}^  and  Gov"" 
in  Chief  of  the  'provinces  of  New  Yorke  New  Jersey  d'c. 

You  and  every  one  of  you  are  hereby  required  forthw**" 
to  sell  and  dispose  for  y^  best  price  and  advantage  that 
Cann  be  made  and  gotten  the  Corn  collected  by  or  deliver- 
ed to  you  or  any  or  either  of  you  for  the  maintenance  and 
benefit  of  the  Minister  of  Jamaica  and  y«  moneys  thereof 
made  to  retain  in  your  hands  untill  you  Receive  further 
orders  from  me  for  the  payment  of  the  same  to  the  uses  for 
w''^  the  s*^  corn  was  delivered  to  you  and  hereof  you  are  not 
to  faile  att  your  Perill  Given  under  my  hand  att  fort 
Anne  in  New  Yorke  this  4th  day  of  July  1704 

Cornbury 

To  the  Church  Wardens  of  the  Church  of 

Jamaica  and  to  the  High  Sheriff e  of 

Queens  County. 

AN    ORDER 

To  the  Justices^  and  Church  Wardens  of  Jamaica  By  his 
Excell.  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury  Capt  Gen^^  and  Gov*" 
in  Chief  of  the  Provinces  of  New  Yorke,  New  Jersey, 
<&c. 

You  are  hereby  Required  to  pay  y^  moneys  made 
of  y^  corn  collected  for  the  maintenance  of  a  Minister  for 
the  town  of  Jamaica  in  Queens  County  and  w''^  remains  in 
your  hands  to  the  Rev  Mr  William  Urquahart  and  for  soe 
doing  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant.  Given  under  my 

*  Cornbury  commissioned  sixteen  Justices  for  the  single  parish  of  Ja- 
maica, who  intruded  their  votes  amongst  the  Vestry,  and  thus  secured  a 
majority  for  appropriating  the  salary  to  the  church  parson. 


108  HISTOKT    OF   THE 

hand  att  iFort  Anne  in  Xew  Yorke  tliis  tAventy  eighth  day  of 
August  1704 

CORXBURT 

To  the  Jmtices  of  the  Peace  for  Queena  County 
and  to  the  Vefitrymen  and  Church  Wardens 
of  the  Cnifrch  of  Jamaica  in  the  said 
County. 

AX    ORDER 

To  the  Justices  and  Vestrymen  to  levy  a  tax  for  the  Minister  of 
Jamaica,  By  his  Excellency  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury 
Capt  Gen"  and  Govern''  in  Chief  of  y'  Provinces  (f  Kew 
York  New  Jersey  c&c. 

You  are  hereby  required  forthwith  to  lay  a  tax  on  the 
Inhabitants  of  Queens  County  for  raising  the  maintenance 
for  the  Minister  of  Jamaica  in  the  said  County  for  this  pre- 
sent year  and  the  said  tax  laid  to  levy  and  collect  or  cause 
to  be  Levyed  and  collected  pursuant  to  the  act  of  assembly 
passed  in  the  sixth  Session  of  Generall  Assembly  begun 
the    12th   day   of  September    1693    Entituled   an   act  for 
settling  a  Ministry  and  raising  a  maintenance  for  them  in 
the  Citty  of  New  York,  County  of  Richmond,  Westchester 
and  Queens  County  and  hereof  you  are  not  to  faile.  Given 
under  my  hand  at  ffort  Anne  in  Xew  York  this  twenty 
fourth  day  of  August  1704. 
To  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  Queens  County 
and  the  Vestrymen  of  the  Church  of  Ja- 
maica in  the  said  County. 

ORDER 

To  Fine  the  Churchwardens.,  Etc.,  For  Refusing  to  Levy  said 

Tax. 

[Council  Min.  IX.] 

In  Council  ^\  March  1705 
The  Churchwardens  and  Yestry  of  Jamaica  being  sum- 


TEESBYTEEIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  109 

moned  to  appear  before  this  Board  this  day  and  Robert 
Coe  one  of  the  Church  Wardens  &  John  Tahiian  Henry 
Wright  Samuel  Carpenter  Sam'  Higby  Anthony  W^aters 
John  Everett  John  Coe  Jonathan  Hazard  &  Daniel  Law- 
rence nine  of  the  Yestry  appearing  accordingly  they  were 
called  in  and  examined  concerning  their  neglecting  or  re- 
fusing to  raise  a  tax  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Minister  of 
that  place  directed  to  be  raised  for  that  purpose  by  Act  of 
Gen"  Assembly  of  this  Province  and  having  offered  nothing 
to  this  Board  in  their  Justification  it  is  ordered  that  the 
Penaltyes  expressed  and  contained  in  the  said  Act  be 
Levyed  pursuant  to  the  directions  thereof  on  every  one  of 
them  y"  s*^  Churchwardens  &  Vestry  so  neglecting  or  re- 
fusing to  do  their  duty  as  aforesaid. 

Rev.  Mr.  Bartow  to  the  Sec.  of  the  So c.  for  Propagating  the 
Gospelin  Foreign  Parts. 

W.  Chester  ISTew  York,  1st  Dec.  1707. 
To  THE  Sec. 

Sir,  after  a  voyage  of  11  weeks  we  arrived  at  New  York 
Sep.  29,  1702,  where  we  found  a  very  mournful  town, 
nearly  20  persons  dying  daily,  for  some  months.  I  went 
next  day  to  Col.  Graham's,  Westchester,  and  on  Monday 
returned  to  New  York.  Mr.  Vesey  got  me  to  preach  for 
him  on  the  appointed  fast  that  week.  I  preached  there  or 
at  Westchester  every  Sunday  till  Lord  Cornbury  returned 
from  Albany,  when  I  went  to  Jamaica  to  wait  on  his  Lord- 
ship (who  went  there  by  reason  of  the  sickness  in  New 
York)  to  deliver  him  my  credentials,  and  receive  his  com- 
mands, which  were  to  continue  in  Westchester  and  the 
first  half  year  being  winter  I  lodged  at  a  public  house 
preaching  once  every  Sunday  and  upon  occasion  visiting 
the  sick.  After  winter  was  over,  I  lived  at  Col.  Graham's 
six  miles  from  the  Church  and  all    the  summer  preacht 


110  HISTOKT    OF   THE 

twice  every  Sunday,  sometimes  at  West  Chester  and  some- 
times at  Jamaica  on  Long  Island  about  -  miles  distant 
from  Mr.  Graham's  at  my  own  charge,  nor  have  I  had  any 
board  given  me  since  I  came,  and  once  I  met  with  great 
disturbance  at  Jamaica.  Mr.  Hobbart,  their  Presbyterian 
minister,  having  been  for  some  time  at  Boston  returned  to 
Jamaica  the  Saturday  night  as  I  came  to  it,  and  sent  to  me 
at  my  lodging  (being  then  in  company  with  our  Chief 
Justice  Mr.  Mompesson  and  Mr.  Carter  her  Majesty's 
Comptroller)  to  know  if  I  intended  to  preach  on  the  mor- 
row. I  sent  him  answer  that  I  did  intend  it. — The  next 
morning  the  bell  rang  as  usual,  but  before  the  last  time  of 
ringing  Mr.  Hobbart  was  got  into  the  Church,  and  had 
begun  his  service  of  which  notice  was  given  me  whereupon 
I  went  into  the  Church  and  walked  straightway  to  the 
pew  expecting  Mr.  Hobbart  would  desist  being  he  knew  I 
had  orders  from  the  Government  to  officiate  there,  but  he 
persisted  and  I  forbore  to  make  any  interruption.  In  the 
afternoon  I  prevented  him  beginning  the  service  of  the 
Church  of  England,  before  he  came  who  was  so  surprised 
when  after  he  came  to  the  church  door  and  saw  me  per- 
forming divine  service  that  he  suddenly  started  back  and 
went  aside  to  an  orchard  hard  by,  and  sent  in^some  to  give 
the  word  that  Mr.  Hobbart  would  preach  under  a  tree, 
then  I  perceived  a  whispering  thro'  the  church  and  an  un- 
easiness of  many  people  some  going  out,  some  seemed 
amazed  not  yet  determined  whether  to  go  or  stay.  In  the 
mean  time  some  that  had  gone  out  returned  again  for  their 
seats  and  then  we  had  a  shameful  disturbance :  haulinof  and 
tugging  of  seats,  shoving  one  the  other  off,  carrying  them 
out  and  returning  again  for  more,  so  that  I  was  fain  to 
leave  off  till  the  disturbance  was  over,  and  a  separation 
was  made  by  which  time  I  had  but  about  half  of  the  con- 
gregation, the  rest   remaining  devout  and  attentive   the 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,  JAISIAICA.  Ill 


whole  time  of  the  service ;  after  which  we  lock't  the  church 
door  and  committed  the  key  into  the  hands  of  the  sheriff; 
we  were  no  sooner  got  mto  an  adjoining  house  but  some  per- 
sons came  to  demand  the  key  of  their  meeting-house  which 
being  denied  they  went  and  broke  the  glass  window,  and 
put  a  boy  in  to  open  the  door  and  so  put  in  their  seats  and 
took  away  the  pew-cushion  saying  they  would  keep  that 
however  for  their  own  minister ;  the  scolding  and  wrang- 
ling that  ensued  are  by  me  ineffable.  The  next  time  I  saw 
my  Lord  Cornbury  he  thanked  me  and  said  he  would  do 
the  church  and  me  justice,  accordingly  he  summoned  Mr. 
Hobbart  and  the  head  of  the  faction  before  him  and  forbad 
Mr.  Hobbart  ever  more  to  preach  in  that  Church,  for  in 
regard  it  was  built  by  a  public  tax  it  did  appertain  to  the 
established  church  (which  it  has  quietly  remained  ever 
since  and  now  in  possession  of  our  Rev'd  Brother,  Mr.  Ur- 
quhart.)  My  Lord  Cornbury  threatened  them  all  with  the 
penalty  of  the  statute  for  disturbing  divine  service,  but  up- 
on their  submission  and  promise  of  future  quietness  and 
peace  he  pardoned  the  offence." 

How  the  youthful  pastor  was  affected  by  such  trou- 
bles as  these  we  are  not  informed.  His  conduct,  when 
he  so  unexpectedly  found  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bartow  reading 
the  liturgy  in  his  pulpit,  in  retiring  to  an  adjoining  orch- 
ard, and  inviting  his  people  to  accompany  him,  there  to 
worship  Him  who  dwelleth  not  in  temples  made  with 
hands,  proves  him  to  have  been  an  amiable  and  discreet 
man.  It  is  not  improbable,  however,  that  the  failure  of 
his  health  had  some  connection  with  his  peculiar  trials. 
He  died  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight  years.  In  the 
Boston  "  News  Letter,"  No.  79,  October  22,  1705,  ap- 
peared the  following : 

"  Jamaica  on  Long  Island,  Oct.  11.     On  Fry  day,  the  5th 


112  HISTOKT   OF   THE 

current,  dyed  here  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Hubbard,  Pastor  of 
a  Church  in  this  place,  aged  28  years  9  months,  wanting 
4  days." 

Thompson  says  respecting  him  :  "  He  was  one  of  tlie 
most  excellent  and  amiable  youths  which  'New  Eng- 
land produced,  and  liis  death  was  extensively  and 
deeply  lamented."  He  was  the  fii'st  minister  buried 
in  this  town.  But  no  monument  or  headstone  marks 
the  spot  where  his  ashes  repose. 

Tlie  Presbyterian  congregation,  after  they  had  been 
excluded  from  their  church  edifice,  worshipped,  as  Mr. 
Faitoute  says^  he  had  been  told  by  aged  people,  in  a 
building  at  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  village.  In 
1702,  the  Rev.  Patrick  Gordon,  the  first  Episcopalian 
minister,  arrived  from  England;  but  he  died  before  he 
could  be  inducted,  "and  was  buried,"  says  Dr.  Hum- 
phreys, Secretar}^  to  the  Honorable  Society,  in  his  His- 
tory of  the  Society,  "  in  a  Meeting-House  in  Jamaica." 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Bartow,  of  Westchester,  as  we  have 
shown,  by  a  letter  from  his  own  hand,  is  undoubtedly 
entitled  to  the  honour  of  having  figured  so  conspicu- 
ously in  the  afiPair  of  taking  possession  of  Mr.  Hub- 
bard's pulpit.  After  Mr.  Gordon's  death,  Mr.  Yesey, 
the  first  rector  of  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  supplied  Ja- 
maica with  "  constant  lectures  ;"t  and  other  Episcopal 
ministers  in  the  province  rendered  occasional  services. 
A  Mr.  Honeyman,  against  whom  chargesij:  seriously  af- 
fecting his  moral  character  had  been  made,  and  a  Mr. 
Mott,  severally  preached  for  a  short  time,  when  the 
Rev.  William  Urquhart   arrived,  and  was  inducted  as 

*  MS  Hist.        t  Petition  of  the  clergy  to  the  Bishop  of  London. 
X  Mr.  Urquhart's  Letter  to  the  Sec.  of  the  V.  S. 


PKESBYTEEIAN    CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  113 

rector  Jiilj  4tli,  1704.  Mi-  Hnl)bard  was,  at  that  time, 
in  possession  of  the  parsonage  ;  but  lie  was  ofdered  by 
Cornbnry,  "  to  deliver  np  the  same  to  Mr.  Uiqnliart, 
wliich  accordingly  was  done  qnietlj  and  peaceabh',"^ 
and  Mr.  Urqnhart  remained  in  possession  till  his  death, 
which  took  place  in  Angnst,  1709.     The  Rev. 

FRANCIS   GOODHUE 

was  Mr.  Hubbard's  successor  in  the  ministry.  It  would 
not  have  been  surprising  if  the  congregation,  their 
church  and  parsonage  occupied  by  others,  and  their 
minister  in  the  g-rave,  had  remained  for  some  time  in  a 
destitute  and  scattered  condition.  Such  was  the  effect 
of  similar  arbitrar}^  proceedings  at  Hempstead.  Mr. 
Goodhue  was  settled  the  year  following  Mr.  Hubbard's 
death. f  He  was  a  native  of  the  same  place,  and  pro- 
bably had  been  a  companion  of  Hubbard  in  childhood, 
as  he   was   but   one   year   younger.     He   was   a   sou 

*  Petition  of  Epis.  Clergj. 
t  rev'd  MR,  Goodhue's  commissiox. 
As  Presbyterian  minister  of  Jamaica  L.  I. 
[Deed  Book  X.] 
By  His  Excellency  Edward  Viscount  Cornhury  Capt  GerO-  &  Gov"^  in  Chief  of 
ye  Provinces  of  N  YorJc,  I\ew  Jersey  &  of  all  the  Territories  &  Tracts  of  Land 
Deiiending  thereon  in  America  &  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same  &c. 
To  Mr.  Francis  Goodhue,  Greeting : 

I  do  hereby  Licence  k  Tollerate  you  to  be  Minist""  of  the  Presbyterian  Con- 
gregation at  Jamaica  in  Queens  County  on  the  Island  of  Nassau  in  the 
sd  Province  of  New  Yorke  k  to  have  k  Exercise  the  fFree  Liberty  k  use  of 
yo'"  Religion  pursuant  to  Her  Matys  pleasure  therein  signified  to  me  In  her 
Royal  Instructions  &  during  so  Long  Time  as  to  me  shall  seem  meet  k 
all  Ministers  k  others  are  hereby  Required  to  take  notice  hereof.  Given 
under  my  hand  and  scale  at  fibrt  Anne  in  New  York  this day  of  this  in- 
stant January  in  the  fFonrth  year  of  Her  Matys  Reign  Annoq  :  Dmi  1705-6 

CORNBURY 

By  His  Excys  Command 

William  Anderson  B  secy 


114  HISTORY    OF   THE 

of  Deacon  William  and  Hannah  Goodhue,  and  was 
born  in  Chebecca  parish,  Ipswich,  Mass.,  October  4:th, 
1678.  His  grandfather,  William,  was  one  of  the  most 
influential  and  respectable  men  in  the  colony  of  Mass- 
achusetts, whose  "many  virtues"  are  said  to  have 
"  conferred  honour  upon  his  name  and  family."  Fran- 
cis Goodhue  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1699,  and  was 
settled  at  Jamaica  in  1706.  At  the  close  of  the  sum- 
mer of  1707,  he  went  from  this  place  on  a  journey  to 
l^ew  England  ;  little  did  he  or  his  people  think  that  he 
was  to  return  no  more.  He  died  of  fever  on  his  way, 
at  Eehoboth,  Mass.,  near  Providence,  R.  I.,  where  he 
was  buried.  Seekonk  was  the  Indian  name  of  the 
place  ;  and  in  1812  its  western  section  was  incorpo- 
rated as  a  separate  town,  and  is  now  called  by  this 
name. 

The  ministry  of  Hubbard,  and  that  of  Goodhue, 
were  short,  but  they  were  doubtless  eminently  useful 
in  keeping  the  congregation  together,  under  its  adverse 
circumstances.  It  is  deeply  affecting  to  contemplate 
the  situation  of  the  congregation  called  thus  to  mourn 
over  the  early  graves  of  two  ministers  who,  having 
been  pleasant  and  lovely  in  their  lives,  in  death  were 
not  far  divided. 

The  following  elegant  lines  on  Mr.  Goodhue  are 
taken  from  the  Boston  "  I^ews  Letter  "  of  February 
28,  1723. 


'5 


Libertas  nomen ;  bonitas  conjuncta  colori 
Cognomen  praebent ;  Insula  Longa  gregem. 

ISTascitur  Ipsvici ;  dissolvitur  inter  eundum ; 
Seconchse  lecto  molliter  ossa  cubant. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  115 

• 

Doctrina,  officiiim,  pietas,  adamata  juventus, 
Nil  contra  jussam  convaluere  necem, 
Pars  potior  sedes  procedit  adire  beatas 
Gaudens  placato  semper  adesse  Deo. 

Which  may  be  thus  translated  : 

Liberty  [Francis]  gives  him  a  name  ;  good  joined  to  hue 
a  surname;  Long  Island  a  flock.  Born  at  Ipswich,  he  dies 
whilst  travelling.  His  bones  softly  repose  in  their  bed  at 
Seekonk.  Learning,  sacred  ofiice,  j)iety,  amiable  youth 
could  avail  nothing  against  death  decreed.  The  immortal 
part  enters  into  Paradise,  rejoicing  to  be  forever  in  the 
presence  of  God  reconciled. 

For  two  or  three  years  the  congregation  appears  to 
have  been  vacant,  but  in  the  spring*  of  1710,  the  Kev. 

GEORGE   McNISH 

was  called  to  be  minister.  He  was  a  native  of  Scot- 
land or  Ireland,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1705,  with 
the  Rev.  Francis  Makemie,  often  styled  the  father  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  country.  The  Rev. 
John  Hampton  came,  at  the  same  time,  with  Mr. 
McNish,  both  of  them  no  doubt  induced  by  Mr.  Ma- 
kemie, who  had  resided  many  years  in  this  country,  and 
who  visited  Europe  expressly  to  prevail  on  ministers 
to  come  and  settle  here.  Messrs.  Makemie  and 
Hampton  were  the  two  Presbyterian  Ministers  who 
were  imprisoned  and  fined  by  Lord  Cornbury  in  1706 
for  preaching  without  a  license  from  him.  Mr.  Hamp- 
ton was  arrested  at  Newtown,  where  he  had  preached, 

*  The  case  of ,  and  opinion  &c.  referred  to  in  Gov.  Hunter's  Letter* 

25th  Feb.,  1711. 


116  HISTORY    OF    THE 

and  was  bronglit  to  Jamaica  and  imprisoned  in  the 
Presbyterian  Clnircli  over  niglit;  and,  the  next  day, 
marched  to  Xew  York. 

In  June,  1706,  by  order  of  Gov.  Seymour,  of  Mary- 
land, the  Somerset  County  Court  licensed  Messrs. 
Mc^ish  and  Hampton. 

Upon  the  removal  of  Col.  Ingolsby,  who  adminis- 
tered the  government  for  a  short  time  after  the  death 
of  Lord  Lovelace  in  1709,  the  Supreme  authority  de- 
volved on  Gerardus  Beekman,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Council.  lie  was  not  under  the  influence  of  the  big- 
otry which  had  actuated  the  English  governors,  and 
the  Presbyterians  at  once  availed  themselves  of  the  op- 
portunity to  take  possession  of  their  church.  There 
was  no  Episcopal  incumbent  at  that  time,  the  place 
being  supplied  "  every  other  Sunday  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Yesey,  Mr.  Sharp,  and  the  missionaries  in  the  province 
of  New  York,"  ^  Soon  after,  and  before  the  arrival  of 
an  Episcopal  minister  for  the  place,  the  parsonage 
and  glebe  also  passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Pres- 
byterians, the  rightful  proprietors,  and,  notwithstanding 
the  strenuous  efforts  that  were  made,  never  again  were 
wrested  from  them.  Possession  was  secured  in  the 
following  manner :  the  parsonage  was  tenanted  by  the 
widow  of  Mr.  Urquhart;  she  surrendered  it  to  the 
representatives  of  the  Presbyterian  congregation,  but 
was  soon  afterwards  re-admitted  as  a  tenant  to  them. 
Her  daughter  had  married  a  young  student  of  theology, 
a  Presbyterian,  of  the  name  of  Wolsey,  who  resided 
with  her.  She  remained  their  tenant  until  the  Presby- 
terian minister  was  ready  to  take  possession. 

*  Mr.  Bartow's  Letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Ven.  Society. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  117 

It  was  during  the  brief  occupancy  of  the  church 
edifice,  in  the  spring  of  1710,  that  the  wardens  and 
vestrymen  of  Jamaica,  who  were  Presbyterians,  gave 
a  call  to  Mr.  McNish.  This  gentleman  was  one  of 
the  original  members  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia, 
the  first  formed  in  America.  He  preached  first  to  the 
people  at  Monokin  and  Wicomico,  in  Maryland,  who 
presented  a  call  to  him ;  but  it  appears  from  the  minutes 
of  the  Presbytery  held  in  lYlO,  that  Mr.  McNish  had 
not,  at  that  time,  accepted  the  call.  At  the  meeting  of 
the  Presbytery  in  ITII,  the  call  from  Jamaica  was  put 
into  his  hands,  and  "  'twas  determined  to  leave  his  af- 
fair respecting  Jamaica  and  Patuxent  to  himself,  with 
advice  not  to  delay  to  fix  himself  somewhere."  This 
minute  makes  it  quite  evident  that  he  never  became 
the  settled  pastor  at  Monokin.  Some  time  in  1711,  he 
became  the  minister  of  Jamaica ;  although  there  can 
be  no  doubt  he  had  frequently  supplied  the  place  dur- 
ing the  preceding  year. 

The  Presbyterians,  however,  were  not  long  permit- 
ted to  retain  the  use  of  their  house  of  worship.  Their 
adversaries  succeeded  in  ejecting  them ;  and  six  of 
their  number  were  arrested  and  brought  before  the 
magistrates.  They  were,  however  set  at  liberty,  on 
their  own  recognizances  to  appear  at  the  next  sessions. 
They  were  fined  only  three  shillings  each,  and  even 
their  fines  were  remitted  by  the  President  and  Council. 
The  efiTorts  of  the  Church  of  England  party  to  re-possess 
themselves  of  the  parsonage  and  glebe  were  not  so 
successful.  They  made  application  to  a  magistrate  for 
redress,  who  issued  a  warrant  to  the  sherifif  for  appre- 
hending the  offenders ; .  but  it  so  happened  that  this 


118  HISTORY    OF   THE 

officer  was  now  a  Presbyterian,  and  he  replied  to  the 
Justice  that  "it  was  against  his  conscience  to  execute 
the  precept."  The  sequel  will  show  that  their  persevering 
attempts,  under  the  administration  of  Governor  Hunter, 
were  equally  unsuccessful,  and  that  the  property  of  the 
Church,  other  than  the  house  of  worship,  was  never 
again  in  their  possession.  Mr.  MclS^ish,  on  accepting 
the  call  which  had  been  given  him,  had  the  parsonage 
and  glebe. lands  confirmed  to  him  by  a  vote  of  the 
town.  One  Samuel  Clowes  entered  his  protest  against 
this  vote  of  the  town ;  he  is  said  to  have  been  of  the 
heroic  party,  who,  in  Mr.  Hubbard's  time,  forcibly 
broke  open  the  doors  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

the  6th  day  of  february  1709-10. 

at  a  towne  meeting  held  at  Jamaica  of  y*  freeholders  of 
y®  above  s'^  towne 

Jonathan  "Whitehead  Esq  "| 

■*   I 

Present  Robert  Read  Esq  I 

S11  T>     1      TT^  I    "  ustices. 

am  11  Baylys  Esq 

The  :  Whitehead  Esq  J 
voted  by  y«  majority  of  y^  freeholders  assembled  as 
above  s^  that  Justice  Jonathan  Avhitehead  Jonas  Wood 
anthony  waters  Nathaniel  Denton  &  John  Everit  or 
y^  major  part  of  them  are  hereby  authorized  &  appointed 
for  to  take  into  their  hands  all  y^  towns  land  w^  is  called 
parsonage  land  housing  &  medow  &  to  divide  all  y^  medow 
&  upland  according  to  every  mans  right  &  y  home  lot  & 
house  &c  for  to  be  hired  out  at  their  discretion  &  y^  rent 
to  be  disposed  of  to  y*  proper  owners  of  y^  same  in  equal 
proportion  according  to  every  mans  rights  Robert  Read 
Peter  white  Josiah  Wiggins  Thomas  whitehead  and  Samuel 
Clows  doth  protest  ag*  y^  abov^  vote  as  unlawfull 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  119 

voted  as  afores*^  y*  capt  George  Woolsey  Nicolas  Everi  t 
&  Benjamin  Thurston  are  hereby  authorized  and  enjoined 
for  to  demand  y^  Key  of  y^  stone  meeting  house  from 
y^  person  w*"  is  in  possession  of  y^  same  &  keep  y®  said 
house  for  ye  use  of  y^  towne 

voted  as  afores'^  that  all  particular  surveing  made  by 
any  person  in  or  upon  any  part  of  y^  comon  or  undivided 
land  in  y*  aboves*^  tounship  by  any  person  or  j^ersons 
except  such  as  was  chosen  by  publik  vote  as  town  surveiers 
is  &  shall  be  esteemed  ilegal  &  unlawful 

entered  per  Zach  Mills  dark 

Town  Records  III.  483. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  at  Jamaica  July  y®  25 :  day :  1 71 2 
It  is  voted  &  concluded  that  Mr  gorg :  magnish  is  our 
minister  &  that  y^  pos  sion  given  unto  the  said  Mr  magnish 
of  y®  minister  house  or  passonage  &  land  &c  by  y  trustess 
of  the  town  Jonas  Wood  Xathaniell  Denton  anthony 
Watters  John  Everit  is  approved  of  by  the  town  &  the 
town  further  confirm  unto  the  said  Mr  magnish  the 
possession  of  y®  s'^  house  &  land  whiles  he  stays  &  con- 
tinues our  ministar 

Mr  Samuell  Clows  protest  against  y^  dismising  of  y' 
town  meeting  pr :  Nehemiah  Smith  cler 

Town  Records  III.  485. 

MEMORIAL    OF    THE    INHABITANTS    OF   JAMAICA 

To  his  Excell"^  Coll  Robert  Hunter  Cai^  General  and  Gover- 
nor in  Chiefe  of  her  Mof"'  Colony  of  New  York  &c  in 
America. 

The  Humble  Memoriall  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Jamaica  in 
Queens  County. 

Mat  it  pleas  to''  Excell*''' 

This  Towne  of  Jamaica  in  the  year  1656  was  purchased 


120  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

from  the  Indian  Natives  by  diverse  persons  our  predecessors 
and  Anncestors  Subjects  of  the  Reahii  of  England,  Protes- 
tant dissenters  in  the  manner  of  Worship  from  the  fibrms 
used  in  the  Church  of  England ;  who  settled  and  Improved 
the  land,  Have  called  a  Minister  of  their  owne  Profession 
to  Officiate  among  them  who  continued  so  to  do  during  the 
time  of  the  Dutch  Government  and  afterwards  severall 
others  successively  until  the  year  of  our  Lord  1673-4. 

In  the  year  1676  the  Townsmen  set  apart  divers  Lands  for 
the  better  Incouragement  and  support  of  such  a  Minister. 

In  the  year  1693  the  Inhabitants  purchased  a  house  and 
other  conveniences  for  the  accomodation  of  their  Ministers 
who  possessed  and  Injoyed  it  accordingly. 

That  about  the  year  1699  by  Virtue  of  an  act  of  Gen- 
erall  Assembly  for  that  purpose  the  Majo""  part  of  the 
ffreeholders  of  the  Towne  built  and  erected  a  Meeting 
house  or  public  edifice  for  the  Worship  and  service  of 
God  after  their  way,  and  peaceably  possessed  and  used  it. 

That  in  the  year  1703  or  1704  being  actually  and  Quietly 
possessed  of  the  said  House  lands  and  other  coveniencyes 
and  of  the  said  meeting  house,  they  were  with  force  & 
violence  without  any  j)rocess,  Tryall  or  Judgment  at  Law 
turned  out  and  Dispossessed  of  the  same. 

All  which  they  humbly  submitt  to  yo""  Excellencies  con- 
sideration, Humbly  praying  such  Peliefe  as  y'  ExcelP^  shall 
Judge  consist^  with  Equity  &  Justice 

Nathaniel  Denton 
Anthony  Waters 
Daniel  Smith 
Samll  Bayles 


PKESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  121 

« 

A  Statement  of  the  Church  at  Jamaica. 

'/ber  1693.     The  act  of  Assembly  for  settling  y  Min- 
istry was  past. 
Jan^  1702.     The  first  Vestrymen  and  Chm-chAvardens 
were  chosen  at  Jamaica. 
1702.     M'  Hubbard  a    Dissenting  minister  was 
called  by  the  Churchwardens  &  Yestry. 
Aug*  1704.     ]\r  Urquhart  was  Inducted  by  power  from 
my  Lord  Cornbury. 
1706.     An  act  of  Assembly  past  which  confirmed 
that  Induction. 
1710  in  y^      )     Mr  Macknesh  a  Dissenting  Minister  was 
S^^ring         [        called  by  the  Churchwardens  &  yestry 
who  are  all  Dissenters. 
1710  July  18.       M'  Poyer  was  Inducted  by  power  from 
his  Exc'-^'  Coll  Hunter. 

I  humbly  conceive  that  no  person  that  has  y^  presentation 
to  a  Benefice  can  do  it  twice.  So  that  if  an  unqualified 
person  be  presented  he  that  presented  him  cannot  after- 
wards prefer  another.  This  was  the  case  of  M""  Hubbard 
who  being  a  Dissenter  was  not  qualified  to  accept  for 
which  reason  my  Lord  Cornbury  gave  Induction  to  M' 
Urquhart  &  y^  Assembly  by  y"  said  last  act  declare  it  to 
be  valid. 

That  M""  Macknesh  has  been  lately  called  by  y^  Vestry 
&c  but  by  his  being  a  Dissenter  Avas  not  qualified  to 
accept  and  therefore  M""  Poyer  is  Inducted  by  power 
from  his  Exc^''  &  being  so  Inducted  is  Intituled  to  every- 
thing that  belonged  to  his  predecessor  M""  Urquhart  & 
consequently  to  y^  Sallary  which  is  now  about  to  be  ap- 
propriated to  a  Dissenting  Minister.  The  first  act  of  Set- 
ting y®  Ministry  lay  dormant  w*''  us  9  years  because  Ave  had 
no  Church  of  England  Minister  to  reap  the  benefit  of  it. 
6 


122  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Its  lying  dormant  so  long  is  a  plaine  Indication  of  y''  opin- 
ion of  the  Dissenters  themselves  in  favour  of  the  Church, 
ffor  if  that  act  was  made  for  the  Dissenters  (which  they  do 
now  against  all  reason  assert)  why  did  they  never  make 
use  of  it  in  all  that  time  &  thereby  put  an  end  to  the  con- 
tinued &  endless  contentions  they  have  had  Avith  their 
Ministers  many  of  which  are  not  yet  paid  by  them. 

Sain'l  Cloices  to  the  President  of  the  Council. 

HoNBLE  Sir  Jamaica  ]1  April  1710 

I  wish  your  Hon''  a  great  deal  of  joy  in  the  Trust  the 
Queen  has  been  pleased  to  confer  on  you ;  and  begg  leave 
to  acquaint  yo'  Hon"^  that  y  Dissenters  here  have  this  day 
committed  a  Riot  or  forceable  Detainer  in  the  Church ;  I 
persuade  myself  your  hon''  will  suppress  with  all  your 
might  such  forceable  Ways  of  proceeding  so  detremental 
to  the  public  peace.  If  they  have  any  Right ;  (as  I  think 
'tis  plaine  they  have  none)  the  Law  is  open.  I  therefore 
pray  yo'  Hon'  Will  please  allow  all  due  Encouragement  to 
the  Queens  officers  who  have  committed  them  for  the  ffact ; 
&  especially  by  directing  y^  Queen's  Attorney  Gen"  to  pro- 
secute the  offenders  whereby  you  will  add  to  the  Glory  of 
your  Government  by  Defending  the  cause  of  Christs 
Church. 

I  remane 

Yo""  most  obedient  Serv* 

S.  Clowes. 
To  the  Hon^^«  Coll  Beahnan 
IJevt'  Governor  of  the 
Province  of  New  Yorlc. 

Order  of  Council  on  the  Above. 

In  Council  13*^  April  1710 
The  President  communicated  to  this  Board  a  letter  from 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHUECII,  JAMAICA.  123 


M""  Samuell  Clowes  of  y'  11th  Aprill  setting  forth  that  the 
Dissenters  had  that  day  Committed  a  Riot  or  forceable 
Detainer  of  y^  Church  at  Jamaica  And  therefore  Desired 
y*  all  Due  Encouragement  might  be  given  to  the  Queens 
officers  who  had  committed  the  persons  for  that  Fact  Es- 
pecially by  Directing  the  Attorney  Generall  to  procecute 
the  offender. 

The  President  also  communicated  a  Mittimus  under  the 
hand  and  seal  of  Kobert  Read  Esq'  one  of  Her  Majesties 
Justices  for  Keeping  the  Peace  in  Queens  County  whereby 
the  Hiofh  Sheriffe  thereof  was  Directed  to  take  into  his 
Custody  Hugh  Carpenter  George  Woolsey  Jonas  Wood, 
Richard  Oldfield  Samuel  Mills  &  Jeramiah  Smith  who  he 
setts  forth  are  convicted  of  y^  said  forcable  holding  (by  his 
own  view)  and  them  to  keep  in  the  Common  Gaol  of  said 
County  untill  they  shall  be  thence  delivered  by  due  Course 
of  Law. 

Ordered  that  the  respective  Justices  of  Queens  County 
or  the  major  part  thereof  Enquire  into  the  Facts  above- 
mentioned  and  Lay  a  true  Representation  thereof  before 
this  Board  by  Thursday  next,  and  that  a  coppy  of  this 
Order  be  forthwith  sent  to  y^  said  Justices. 


Jamaica  in  Queens  County 

y*  W^  of  April  1710 

Wee  underwritten  Justices  of  the  peace  of  our  Sovereigne 
Lady  the  Queen  for  Queens  County  assigned  in  obedience 
to  an  order  from  the  honourable  the  president  &  her  Ma*'** 
Council  of  this  province  dated  the  13'^  Inst  (to  us  directed) 
have  Inquired  upon  oath  into  the  matter  of  the  Disturbance 
in  the  Church  of  Jamaica  &  doe  find  that  M'  Justice  Read 


124  HISTORY    OF    THE 

has  proceeded  therein  according  to  Law  and  that  the  Re- 
cord he  has  made  is  a  true  Representation  thereof 
We  remain 

Yo'  Honours  most  obed'  Servants 

THO  :  WILLETT  JOHIf  MARSTOl^ 

JO""  JACKSON  THO  :  JONES 

JOHN  TREDWELL  WI  I  CORNELL 

SAm"  MOORE  THO  I  WHITEHEAD 

Endorsed 

"A   LeW  from  y^  Justices  of  y^  Peace 
for  Queens  County. 

In  Council  20"^  April  1710 
The  Justices  of  y*'  Peace  for  Queens  County  Layd  be- 
fore the  Board  according  to  order  a  Representation  of  the 
Disturbance  and  forceable  Detainer  of  y"  Church  of  Ja- 
maica by  some  Dissenters  which  was  a  Record  made  thereof 
by  Rob'  Read  Esq'  and  Certificate  of  several  of  y®  Justices 
that  the  same  is  a  True  Record 

Upon  consideration  of  this  matter  The  Board  is  of  opin- 
ion That  the  Law  being  open  they  ought  not  to  Encourage 
or  Discourage  the  said  Prosecution 

Petition  of  Oeo.  Woolsey  and  Others. 

To  the  Hon''^^  Coll  Gerardus  Beekman  President  of  her 
Majesty's  Councill  for  the  Colony  of  Xew  York  and  Coun- 
cill.  The  Peticon  of  George  Woolsey  Hope  Carpenter 
Jonas  Wood  Richard  Oldfield  Samuell  Mills  &  Jeremiah 
Smith  of  Jamaica  in  Queens  County. 

Most  Humbly  Sheweth 

That  yo'  Peticoners  Stand  Committed  till  they  pay 
their  ffine  and  charges  upon  a  supposition  of  their  being 
guilty  of  a  forceable  Detainer  grounded  on  the  conviction 
by  the  view  of  Robert  Read  Justice  of  the  peace  for 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  125 

Queens  County  whereof  they  are  not  concious  to  them- 
selves of  being  the  least  Guilty,  and  of  which  they  hum- 
bly conceive  they  can  give  sufficient  proofe  to  any  Im- 
partial! Judicature. 

They  therefore  humbly  pray  that  yo'   Hon"  will   give 
them  such   Relief  as    shall  appear  agreeable  to  Justice. 
And  they  shall  as  in  duty  bound 
Ever  pray  &c 

GEORGE  AVOOLLSE  JOXAS  WOOD 

HOPE  CAEPEXTER  JEREMIAH  SMITH 

RICHARD  OLDFIELD  SAMLL  MILLS. 

Read  the  19"^  day  of  May  1710  & 
al  partys  to  attend  on  Monday 
&  the  Justices  of  the  jDeace  to  be 
served  with  Copy  of  this  Petition. 

In  Council,  23  May,  IVIO 
M   Regnier  council  for  George  Woolsey  and  others  Pe*. 
titioners  on  the  Petition  read  at  this  Board  the  1 9^^  Ins 
and  M""  Bickley  Councill  for  the  Queen  and  the  Justices  of 
the  Peace  of  Queens  County  aj^pearing  at  this  Board  and 
being  severally  heard 

It  is  ordered  that  the  several  and  respective  fines  im- 
posed on  the  petitioners  by  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  in 
Queens  County  at  the  last  Court  of  Sessions  be  remitted. 
But  the  charges  which  alredy  are,  or  if  not  shall  be  taxed 
within  the  Bounds  of  Moderation  by  the  Judge  be  paid 
by  the  said  petitioners. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Poyer,  who  is  said  to  have  been  a 
grandson  of  Col.  Poyer,  wlio  fell  in  the  defence  of 
Pembroke  Castle,  in  the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  was 
the  successor  of  Mr.  Urquhart.  He  arrived  in  the  col- 
ony in  the  summer  of  1710,  and  was  inducted  (as  the 


126  HISTORY    OF    THE 

phrase  was)  by  power  from  Col.  Hunter,  July  IStli  of 
that  year.  The  Governor  daimed  the  authority  ot*  put- 
ting Mr.  Poyer  in  possession  of  the  church  in  disregard 
of  the  riglits  of  those  whose  property  it  was,  but  lie  re- 
fused to  assume  the  responsibility  of  ejecting  tenants  a 
la  Gombury^  by  his  gubernatorial  mandate.  And  in 
this  determination  he  was  sustained  by  the  Chief  Jus- 
tice Mompesson,  who  gave  his  opinion  in  writing  that 
it  would  be  ''a  high  crime  and  a  misdemeanour,"  to  put 
Mr.  Poyer  in  possession  of  the  parsonage  and  lands 
otherwise  than  by  due  course  of  law.  But  this  part  of 
the  liistory  will  be  best  related  in  the  very  language  of 
the  documents  from  which  it  is  derived.  These  docu- 
ments will  disclose  the  fact  that  whilst  Gov.  Hunter 
was  as  devoted  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England  as 
any  of  the  early  Governors,  Mr.  Poyer  and  many  of 
the  Episcopal  missionaries  were  not  a  little  disappoint- 
ed that  he  refused  to  adopt  the  peremptory  and  high- 
handed measures  of  Lord  Cornbury  towards  the  Pres- 
bj^terians.  u 

Mr.  Poyer  to  the  Secretary  of  the  V.  S. 

[extract.] 

Jamaica,  ox  L'g  Island,  5th  Oct.  1710. 

Honoured    Sir, My   predecessor's   Widow   has   not 

dealt  kindly  by  me,  for  the  day  that  I  was  expected  in  this 
town  she  delivered  up  the  parsonage  house  to  the  Dissen- 
ters. 

From  the  same  to  the  same. 

[extract.] 

Jamaica,  L'g  Island,  3d  May,  1711. 

Honoured  Sir, 1  have  great  hopes  that  there  Avill 

more  come  over  to  our  Church  notwithstanding  the  many 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  127 

enemies  and  discouragements  I  daily  meet  witliall,  of 
which  I  have  in  a  former  hinted  to  you,  but  wrote  more 
fully  to  the  Right  Honorable  and  Right  Reverend  Bishop 
of  London  who  has  a  perfect  and  true  state  of  the  case 
which  I  hope  when  duly  considered  will  induce  the  Hon- 
ourable Society  to  assert  the  right  of  the  Church  here ; 
that  I  may  be  supported  with  my  salary,  due  here  by  an  act 
of  the  country,  one  penny  of  which  has  not  hitherto  been 
paid  to  me  but  on  the  contrary  raised  and  given  to  one 
Mr.  George  McNish  an  Independent  North  Britain  preach- 
er who  has  had  the  assurance,  in  the  face  of  the  country, 
to  aver  that  the  Bishop  of  London  has  no  power  here. 

The  foregoing  extract  proves  that  Mr.  McNisli  had 
been  employed  to  supply  the  pulpit  in  Jamaica  pre- 
vious to  May,  1711,  although  it  is  evident  he  was  not 
installed  as  pastor  till  after  the  meeting  of  Presbytery 
in  September  of  that  yesir. 

Memorial  of  the  Clergy,  cC'c,  relating  to  Mr.  Poyer  and  the 
Church  of  Jamaica. 
[extract.] 
To  the  Right  Honourable  and  Right  Reverend  Father  in 
God,  Henry,  Lord  Bishop  of  London.     The  memorial  of 
the  Clergy  of  the  Colonies  of  New- York,  New  Jersey 
and  Philadelphia,  in  America, 

Humbly  Sheweth Conformable  to  instructions  from 

his  late  majesty  King  William,  to  the  then  Governor  for 
the  encourag^ement  of  Relio^ion  in  General  and  the  Estab- 
lished  Church  in  particular,  and  to  settle  parishes  within 
the  said  province  (New- York)  in  the  year  1693  an  act  of 
General  Assembly  passed  whereby  it  was  enacted  that  in 
the  several  cities  and  counties  therein  mentioned  there 
should  be  called  and  Inducted  and  Established  a  sufficient 


128  HISTORY    OF    THE 

protestant  ministry  amongst  which  one  Avas  to  be  for  Ja- 
maica, and  the  two  adjacent  towns,  and  another  for  Hemp- 
stead and  its  adjacent  towns,  but  so  unhappy  was  this 
province  as  to  remain  a  scattered  loeople  loithout  any  true 
Shepherd  till  the  year  1697,  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey  came  to 
the  city  of  New-  Yorl\ 

iSTevertheless  it  is  confessed  that  they  have  made 

use  of  independent  and  sometimes  itinerant  preachers  in 
no  wise  ordained,  out  of  pure  necessity  for  want  of  Ortho- 
dox preachers,  etc. 

In  the  year  1702  came  from  England  the  Reverend  Pat- 
rick Gordon  to  the  Church  at  Jamaica,  who,  before  he 
could  be  inducted  was  snatched  away  by  death  from  those 
people  to  their  unspeakable  loss,  which,  by  a  petition  sign- 
ed by  upwards  of  fifty  inhabitants  to  his  then  Excellency, 
Lord  Cornbury,   (that  noble  patron  of  the  Church  here) 
they  did  sufficiently  express,  and  pray  his  Lordship  to  give 
such   directions   to    the   Rev.  Mr.  .  .  .  Yesey  that   they 
might  have  constant  lectures  amongst  them  until  that  loss 
shall  be  made  up  to  them,  by  her  Majesty,  which  would 
tend  to  the  advancement  of  true  religion  and  the  best  of 
Churches,  and  the  reconciling  their  unliappy  differences, 
the  w^hich  Mr.  Yesey  willingly  and  faithfully  performed, 
till  the  year  1704,  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Urquhart  was  estab- 
lished and  inducted  in  the  said  Church,  by  the  then  Gov- 
ernor, Lord  Cornbury.      But  one  3fr.  Hubbard,  an  indepen- 
dent minister,  being  then  in  jjossession  of  the  j^orsonage  hovse, 
his  Lordsliip  ordered  him  to  deliver  up  the  same   to  Mr.  Ur- 
quhart,  lohich  accordingly  ivas  done,  quietly  and  j^eaceably, 
without  any  force,  and  ivas  enjoyed  peaceably  by  the  said  Mr. 
Urquhart,  for  several  years,  and  the  Independents   them- 
selves seemed  to  rest  satisfied  so  far  that  they  unanimous- 
ly, at  their  own  expense,  built  themselves  a  Meeting  House 
in  the  same  town  which  they  now  use  and  enjoy. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  129 

It  is  a  noteworthy  reason  that  is  here  given  in  proof 
that  the  Presbyterians  (the  appellation  *'  Independents" 
is  used  in  the  reports  and  letters  of  the  Episcopal  mis- 
sionaries, long  after  Mr.  McNish  was  settled,)  were  sat- 
isfied to  see  their  minister  tnrned  out  of  the  Parsonage, 
that  they  unanimously,  and,  "  at  their  own  expense," 
too,  went  and  built  themselves  a  meeting  house.  But 
the  memorial  proceeds : 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Urquhart  there  was  nothing  but 
great  threatenings  thundered  against  the  church  and  par- 
sonage, but  Colonel  Ingolsby,  then  Lieutenant  Governor  of 
this  Colony  recommended  to  the  adjacent  ministers  to 
serve  the  cure  alternately,  during  the  vacancy,  which  they 
all  did  willingly  at  their  own  expense,  and  in  the  mean- 
time the  widow  of  the  deceased  Mr.  Urquhart  was  suifer- 
ed  to  hve  and  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the  parsonage  house  and 
glebe. 

No  sooner  was  her  Majesty  pleased  to  remove  Colonel 
Ingolsby  from  the  Government  Avhereby  the  same  devolv- 
ed on  Colonel  Gerhardus  Beekman  as  President  of  the 
Council,  but  the  very  next  day  being  the  11th  of  April 
1710,  several  of  the  more  violent  of  that  sect  took  posses- 
sion of  the  church  and  forcibly  detained  the  same  against 
a  Justice  of  the  peace  who  came  pursuant  to  the  laws  in 
that  case  made  and  provided,  and  recorded  the  story  as  in 
his  view  and  committed  the  ofi'enders  who  afterwards  were 
set  at  liberty  upon  their  own  recognizances  to  appear  at  the 
next  Sessions  at  which  time  they  appeared  and  were  by  the 
Court  fined  so  very  small  that  though  there  were  six  of- 
fenders all  their  fines  amounted  to  no  more  than  Eighteen 
shillings,  which  Avas  put  upon  them  not  as  a  punishment, 
but  rather  a  cautionary  admonition,  not  to  attempt  any 
thing  of  the  like  nature  for  the  future,  which  mild  dealing 
6* 


130  HISTORY    OF    THE 

was  SO  far  from  having  any  effect  upon  the  Criminals,  that 
they  put  in  a  petition  to  the  President  and  Council  con- 
cerning what  they  had  judicially  done  in  their  foil  sessions, 
and  the  criminals  were   so  far  encouraged  as  to  have  their 
several  fines  remitted  them,  and  the  Justices  dismissed  from 
their  further  attendance  as  having  acted  according  to  law. 
After  this  usage  of  the  Justices  so  contrary  to  Law  and 
after  such  countenance  to  the  criminals  shown  by  the  Pres. 
ident  and  Council,  it  may  easily  be  concluded  the  Church 
could  not  be  very  secure  from  the  further  attempts  of  such 
bitter  enemies,   and  accordingly  after  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
Poyer,  the  present  minister,  but  before  his  actually  coming 
to  the  place,  they  entered  into  the  parsonage  house  upon 
the  possession  of  the  Widow  of  Mr.  Urquhart,  who  lived 
in  it  and  kept  the  Widow  out  of  it  by  force,  though  she 
and   her    husband  had  been  in   possession   of   the    same 
about  six  years  ;  (though  we  have  since  very  great  reason 
to  believe  that  she  connived  at  their  entry,  for  she  was  soon 
afterwards  readmitted  as  a  tenant  to  them,  with  one  Wol- 
sey  an  Independent  student  and  approbationer,  who  has 
married  the  Daughter  of  the  said  Widow  Urquhart)  and 
after  Mr.  Poyer  was  inducted  into  the  Church,  the  Jus- 
tice repaired  upon  complaint  to  the  parsonage  house,  but 
got  no  admittance,  whereupon  a  second  record  of  forci- 
ble detainer  was  made  by  the  Justice,  on  his  own  view, 
and  warrant  issued  by  the  Sheriff  to  apprehend  the  of- 
fenders, and  to  keep  them  till  they  should  be  delivered 
by  due  course  of  law,  but  the  Sheriff  who  had  been  lately 
appointed  by  the  President  and  Council,  in  the  room  of 
the  former  deceased,  being  a  strong  Independent,  told  the 
Justices  his  conscience  would  not  let  him  do  it,  by  which 
means  the  offenders  have  as  yet  escaped  punishment,  and 
Mr.  Poyer  kept  out  of  his  possession  of  the  parsonage 
and  glebe. 


PRESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  131 

In  a  short  time  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Urquhart  the 
Church  wardens  and  Vestry  (tho'  new  ones,  yet  all  In- 
dependents) called  one  Mr.  George  McNish,  a  dissenting 
itinerant  preacher,  who  being  as  much  if  not  more  un- 
qualified to  accept  or  ofticiate  than  Mr.  Hubbard,  the 
present  Governor,  Mr.  Hunter,  ordered  Mr.  Poyer  to  be 
inducted  into  the  said  church  and  its  appurtenances, 
which  was  accordingly  done  by  the  Rev'd  Mr.  Sharp, 
Chaplain  of  the  forces  here  on  the  18th  of  July,  1710. 

Tho'  Mr.  Poyer  has  duly  officiated  there  for  the  space 
of  one  year  and  a  half,  and  after  a  very  tedious  and  ex- 
pensive voyage  with  his  family  in  a  merchant  ship,  and 
being  cast  ashore  Avith  his  ship  above  one  hundred  miles 
from  his  parish,  he  has  not  received  one  penny  of  his  sal- 
ary there  since  his  arrival ;  but  on  the  contrary,  they  paid 
£16  certain  (and  we  believe  more  that  we  know  not  of) 
of  the  money  raised  by  the  act  to  the  said  Mr.  McN^ish. 

And  now  because  that  upon  so  firm  a  foundation  it 
may  be  expected  that  Mr.  Poyer,  the  present  worthy  in- 
cumbent of  this  unhappy  place,  should  by  law  endeavour 
to  obtain  his  salary,  together  with  the  parsonage  house 
and  lands  detained  from  him  by  the  Independents  to  which 
method  his  Excellency  Colonel  Hunter  has  encouraged 
him,  by  promising  him  to  be  at  the  expense  of  the  suit — 
We  humbly  crave  leave  to  ofi*er  that  we  cannot  at  this 
juncture,  think  it  at  all  advisable  for  him  because  we  are 
humbly  of  opinion  that  a  matter  of  that  consequence  ought 
not  to  be  in  such  a  manner  undertaken  Avithout  the  ex- 
press directions  of  your  Lordship  and  the  Honourable  So- 
ciety, and  also  because  such  suit  must  be  commenced  be- 
fore Judges  who  are  professed,  implacable  enemies  of  the 
Established  Church,  Judges  who  are  advanced  in  the  room  of 
others  loho  loere  men  of  character,  and  true  friends  of  the 
Church,   at  an  unlucky  time,  lohen   they  loere  actually  doing 


132  HISTORY    OF    THE 

justice  to  the  Church  in  this  particular  ;  and  ive  could  heartily 
have  wished  that  his  Excellency  loould  have  been  pleased  to 
have  favoured  Mr.  Foyer\s  petition  by  writing  to  those  new 
officers  to  enforce  them  in  their  duty,  and  hope  that  such 
admonitions  would  have  had  a  good  influence  on  them ; 
tho'  indeed  justice  from  these  new  judges  may  scarcely 
be  expected  after  the  acting  of  three  of  them,  who  upon 
Mr.  Foyer's  complaint  against  the  Church  wardens  for  the 
non-payment  of  his  first  quarter's  salary  gave  judgment 
against  him,  and  ordered  him  to  pay  costs  ;  in  which  trial 
they  denied  all  authority  from  England  in  spiritual  mat- 
ters. Neither  is  it  possible  to  get  an  impartial  Jury  in 
that  county,  where  all  are  concerned  in  the  event,  and  the 
greater  number  of  them  stiff  independents. 

The  reasons,  may  it  please  your  Lordship  that  induced 
us  to  send  this  representation  are  drawn  from  the  certain 
ruin  that  the  loss  of  this  cause  will  inevitably  bring  on  the 
Established  Church   in  the  whole  government  of  New- 
York,  and  which  cannot  want  its  bad  influence  upon  the 
Church  in  all  the  adjacent  Colonies,  especially  the  Jerseys 
and  Pennsylvania ;  for  if  upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Urquhart 
who  was  so  firmly  established  by  two  acts  of  General  As- 
sembly, and  after  about  six  years  quiet  possession,  the  sal- 
ary and  parsonage  may  immediately  be  seized  with  im- 
punity and  enjoyed   as  they  are  by  these  Independents, 
why  may  not  the  rest  of  the  places  in  the  said  provinces 
(avhich   do  all   stand    upon   the    same  foot)   on   the 
death  or  avoidance  of  the  present  incumbents  be  in  like 
manner  invaded  by  them,  &c. 

"We  beg  your  Lordship  to  believe  that  nothing  herein 
contained  is  designed  as  the  least  reflection  upon  any  per- 
son it  being  only  the  true  plain  matter  of  fact,  and  which 
we  could  not  out  of  a  due  regard  to  the  interests  of  the 
Church,  and  to  your  Lordship's  omit  the  transmitting  to 


PKESBYTERIAN    CIIUKCH,    JAMAICA.  133 

yonr  Lordship  that  if  the  sad  effect  we  justly  fear  should 
be  the  consequence  of  these  things,  We  may  clear  our- 
selves before  God  and  man  as  having  done  what  was  pos- 
sible for  us  to  prevent  it. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted  to  your  Lordship's  pru- 
dent consideration,  by,  may  it  please  your  Lordship,  your 
Lordship's  most  dutiful,  obedient  sons  and  humble  ser- 
vants, 

Thos.  Poyek, 

Rector  of  the  Parish  of  Jamaica  and  precinct. 

Wm.  Yesey, 

Rector  of  the  Parish  of  New  York. 

Jno.  Bartow, 

Rector  of  the  Parish  and  Precinct  of  Westchester. 

Evan  Evans, 

Rector  of  Philadelphia. 

John  Talbot, 

Of  Burlington. 

JEneas  McKexsie, 

Of  Staten  Island. 

Jacob  Henderson, 

Minister  of  Dover  Hundred. 

John  Thomas, 

Rector  of  Hempstead. 
Neio  Yorlc^  lotJi  November,  1711. 

Notwithstanding  the  declaration  in  the  last  para- 
graph of  the  foregoing  memorial,  that  nothing  it  con- 
tained was  designed  to  reflect  in  tlie  least  upon  any 
person,  the  paper  clearly  contains  the  insinuation  that 
tlie  Governor  had  displaced  certain  officei"s,  who  were 
men  of  character,  and  decided  friends  of  the  Estab- 
lished Church,  and  appointed  others  who  were  its  im- 
placable enemies,  and  therefore  not  disposed  to  do  Mr. 
Poyer  justice.      The   memorial  makes  another  thing 


IS 4:  IIISTOKY    OF    THE 

plain,  viz.,  that  tliere  were  other  places  in  the  colonies, 
where  property  was  held,  or  claimed  by  the  Episcopa- 
lians, on  the  same  gronnd  precisely  as  the  property  in 
dispute  in  Jamaica.  In  regard  to  the  other  point — the 
relation  between  Gov.  Hunter  and  the  Clergy — the  fol- 
lowing will  show  that  there  was  far  from  being  a  good 
understanding  between  these  parties. 

Gov.  Hunter  to  the  Secretary. 
(kxtract.) 

New  York,  Feb.  25th,  1711. 
Sir, — Col.  Heathcote  told  me  that  he  was  privately  in- 
formed that  there  had  been  a  representation  against  me 
carried  about  to  some  of  the  clergy  for  subscriptions.  I 
could  not  believe  it  being  conscious  to  myself  of  nothing 
that  I  had  done,  left  undone,  or  intended,  with  relation  to 
the  Church's  interest,  that  the  most  consummate  malice 
could  ground  a  representation  upon.  That  worthy  gentle- 
man was  of  the  same  opinion,  but  positive  that  there  was 
such  a  representation;  for  which  reason,  he,  in  conjunction 
with  Col.  Morris,  as  members  of  the  Society  thought  fit  to 
write  a  letter  to  Mr.  Vesey,  and  Mr.  Henderson,  in  whose 
hands  they  understood  this  paper  to  be,  and  who  were  the 
principal  contrivers  and  promoters  of  it,  signifying  that 
they  had  been  made  acquainted  with  the  designs,  and  de- 
sired  to  know  the  meaning  of  it ;  that  if  any  thing  were 
wanting  for  the  Church's  interest  they  might  join  with 
them  in  proper  measures  to  procure  it,  and  redress  what 
was  amiss.  All  the  effect  that  this  letter  had  upon  these 
two  gentlemen  was  a  deep  concern  for  the  discovery,  and 
some  sharp  reproaches  on  one  another  as  the  discoverers. 
Neither  could  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sharp  obtain  a  sight  of  it  tho' 
he  solemnly  promised  to  join  with  them  in  repressing  any 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHUECH,    JAMAICA.  135 

thing  for  the  Church's  Interest,  provided  it  did  not  con- 
tain unjust  or  groundless  reflections  on  the  Governor. 
That  gentleman  has  given  an  account  to  the  Lord  Bishop 
of  London,  how  he  was  used  by  them  &c.  &c. 

Being  to  guess  at  the  particular  facts  of  which  I  stand 
accused,  I  can  think  of  none  that  can  so  much  as  afford  a 
pretence  for  such  a  representation,  unless  it  be  the  affairs 
of  Jamaica  Church  here,  and  that  must  only  be  in  the  opin- 
ions of  such  as  think  that  all  laws,  human  and  divine,  are 
to  be  set  aside  when  they  como  in  competition  with  what 
they  conceive  to  be  the  secular  Interest  of  the  Church. 

Mr.  Poyer  having  the  Society's  Mission,  and  my  Lord 
Bishop  of  London's  recommendation  to  that  Church,  I 
upon  his  first  application,  granted  him  induction.  The 
Dissenters  were  in  possession  of  the  Manse  house  by  con- 
trivance of  the  Widow  of  Mr.  Urquhart,  the  former  In- 
cumbent, whose  daughter  was  married  to  a  Dissenting  min- 
ister there.  I  consulted  the  Chief  Justice  Mompesson  how 
far  I  might  proceed  towards  putting  Mr.  Poyer  in  pos- 
session, who  gave  his  opinion  in  writing,  that  it  could  not 
be  done  otherwise  than  by  due  course  of  law,  without  a 
high  crime  and  misdemeanour.  This  opinion  I  sent  to  Mr. 
Poyer,  and  begged  him  to  commence  a  suit  at  my  cost,  but 
heard  nothing  from  him,  until  some  time  after  he  came  to 
me  to  complain  that  the  Justices  of  that  County  had  not 
done  him  right,  when  required  in  procuring  him  his  Quar- 
ter's Stipend,  upon  which  I  sent  for  the  Justice  he  named, 
*****  ^^^  [^  ^j^g  presence  of  Col.  Morris  and  Mr. 
Regnier  of  this  place,  told  him  that  I  would  forthwith  give 
directions  that  Mr.  Poyer  should  commence  a  suit  against 
him,  and  that  they  should  not  flatter  themselves  that  it 
might  be  dropped  through  Mr.  Poyer's  present  wants,  for 
he  should  not  want  wherewithal!  to  carry  it  on  through  all 
the  lengths  so  just  a  cause  required,  and  accordingly  wrote 


136  HISTORY    OF    THE 

to  Mr.  Poyer  to  that  purpose.  Mr.  Coe,  the  justice  men- 
tioned, told  me  that  all  this  was  the  practice  (work)  of  one 
Clows,  a  most  A'icious  wretch  into  whose  hands  Mr.  Poyer 
unfortunately  fell,  at  his  first  setting  out,  and  lodg'd  in  his 
house,  led  by  his  pretended  zeal  for  the  Church ;  but  as  he 
himself  has  since  owned  to  Mr.  Sharp,  he  was  soon  obliged 
to  change  his  lodgings,  few  of  his  own  Communion  desiring 
to  come  near  him,  whilst  he  was  in  so  bad  company. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Col.  Morris  to  the  Secretary. 

New  York,  20th  Feb.  1711. 
In  Col.  Fletcher's  time,  one  party  of  the  Dissenters  in 
the  County  where  Jamaica  is,  resolved  to  build  a  Church, 
and  in  order  to  it  got  subscriptions  and  materials  enough 
to  build  it  about  three  feet  from  the  ground,  but  finding 
themselves  unable  to  perfect  it  without  the  assistance  of 
the  rest,  which  could  not  be  got  by  persuasion,  they  re- 
solved to  attempt  the  getting  an  Act  of  Assembly  in  their 
favour.  Col.  Fletcher  who  was  then  Governor,  and  James 
Grahame,  Esq.,  who  was  then  Speaker  of  the  Assembly, 
perceiving  the  Assembly  inclined  to  raise  money  for  the 
building  of  that  Church,  and  settling  a  maintenance  for 
ministers,  thought  it  a  fit  opportunity  to  do  something  in 
favour  of  the  Church,  before  the  zealous  fit  left  them.  Ac- 
cordingly Grahame  who  had  the  drawing  of  their  Bills, 
prescribed  a  method  of  Induction,  and  so  managed  it  that 
it  would  not  do  well  for  the  Dissenters,  and  but  lamely 
for  the  Church,  though  'twould  do  with  the  help  of  the 
Governor,  and  that  Avas  all ;  but  'twas  the  most  that  could 
be  got  at  that  time,  for  had  more  been  attempted  the  Assembly 
had  seen  through  the  artifice^  the  most  of  them  being  Dis- 
senters, and  all  had  been  lost.  By  virtue  of  this  act,  the 
Church  was  built,  and  a  dissenting  minister  called.  *  *  * 
The  Church  and  parsonage  house  continued  in  the  pos- 


PRESBYTEKIAN    CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  137 

session  of  the  Dissenters  till  some  time  after  the  arrival  of 
Mr.  Urquhart,  when   a  representation  was  made  to  my 
Lord  Cornbury,  that  the  Church  and  house  being  built  by 
public  Act,  could  belong  to  none  but  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land.    My  Lord  upon  this  gives  his  warrant  to  dispossess 
the  Dissenters,  which    immediately  by  force  was  done, 
without  any  procedure  at  law,  and  Mr.  Urquhart  put  into 
possession  of  them.     This  short  method  might  be  of  some 
service  to  the  minister,  but  was  very  far  from  being  of  any 
to  the  Church,  as  no  such  unaccountable  steps  can  ever  be. 
Mr.  Urquhart  kept   the  possession  during   his   life,   and 
though  he  gained  not  many  converts,  yet  his  conduct  was 
so  good  that  I  don't  think  he  lost  any.     After  Mr.  L^rqu- 
hart's  death,  his  widow's  daughter  married  a  dissenting 
minister,  and  she  put  the  parsonage  house  into  his  pos- 
session, in  which  it  continues  until  now.     This  happened 
much  about  the  time  of  Col.  Hunter's  arrival.     Whether 
application  Avas  made  to  him  or  no  I  can't  tell,  but  some 
changes  in  the  magistracy  being  made,  and  by  a  mistake  one 
or  two  put  in  that  were  patrons  of  the  Dissenters,  Mr. 
Poyer  and  his  friends  chose  to  apply  to  those  they  were 
sure  would  refuse  them,  and  not  to  those  in  place  who 
were  firm  to  their  interest,  and  being  refused,  complained 
to  the  Governor,  who  immediately  sent  for  the  person  and 
ordered  him  to  be  prosecuted  that  it  might  appear  whether 
he  had  fliiled  in  his  duty  or  not.     Whether  the  prosecution 
was  confirmed  or  not  I  cannot  tell,  but  I  happened  to  be  in 
the  Governor's  chamber  when  this  Judge  and  a  Dissenting 
minister  came  in  and  this  matter  was  talked  of.     He  said 
that  the  intention  of  the  Legislature  at  that  time  was  to 
raise  a  maintenance  for  a  Dissenting  minister,  all  the  As- 
sembly but  one  being  Dissenters,  and  knowing  nothing  of 
the  Church ;  but  that  being  the  intention  of  the  law  makers 
was  the  meaning  of  the  law,  and  he  hoped  the  Dissenters 


138  HISTORY    OE   THE 

might  enjoy  what  was  so  justly  their  due,  or  at  least  not 
be  depriv^ed  of  it  without  due  course  of  law,  as  they 
formerly  had  been.  I  told  him  the  Legislature  did  not 
consist  of  the  Assembly  only,  but  of  the  Governor  and 
Council  joined  with  them,  &c.  The  Governor  joined  in 
the  argument,  and  argued  with  a  great  deal  of  force  in 
favor  of  the  Church,  who,  he  said,  he  could  not  help  think- 
ing was  in  the  right,  with  respect  to  their  claims — that 
they  might  be  sure  that  matters  of  property  should  be  de- 
termined, by  the  ordinary  course  of  the  law,  by  which 
perhaps,  they,  being  numerous  might  weary  Mr.  Poyer, 
being  a  poor  man,  but  that  Mr.  Poyer  should  have  his 
purse  for  the  carrymg  on  that  suit.  A  day  or  two  after- 
wards he  told  Mr.  Poyer  so  himself.  Some  time  after 
that  he  wrote  to  him  giving  the  Gentleman  who  carried  the 
letter  in  charge,  to  tell  him  he  still  continued  in  the  same 
mind.  The  Governor  being  at  Jamaica,  repeated  the  offer 
of  bearing  the  whole  charge  of  the  suit,  and  pressed  Mr. 
Poyer  to  undertake  it.  Col.  Heathcote  also  pressed  him 
to  undertake  it,  giving  him  the  same  assurance  from  the 
Governor,  and  Poyer  promised  to  do  it,  but  has  been  pre- 
vailed on  to  decline  that  method  (as  he  says)  till  their 
representation  reach  England  ;  and  I  believe  the  poor  man 
and  his  friends  are  weak  enough  to  believe  that  their  su- 
periors there  will  enter  into  measures  to  displace  the  Gov- 
ernor for  not  Dragoonmg  in  their  favor  as  his  predecessor 
did,  &c. 

The  act  to  settle  the  Church  is  very  loosely  worded ; 
which,  as  things  stood  then,  when  it  was  made,  could  not 
be  avoided — the  Dissenters  claiming:  the  benefit  of  it  as 
well  as  we.  And  the  act  without  such  resting  (wresting?) 
will  admit  a  construction  in  their  favour  as  well  as  ours. 
They  think  it  was  intended  for  them,  and  that  they  only 
have  a  right  to  it. 


PKESBYTEEIAN  CHUECH,  JAMAICA.        139 


There  is  no  comparison  in  our  numbers ;  and  they  can 
on  the  deatli  of  the  Incumbents  call  persons  of  their  own 
persuasion  in  every  place  but  the  city  of  New  York.  *  *  * 
I  believe  at  this  day,  the  Church  had  been  in  a  much 
better  condition  had  there  been  no  Act  in  her  favour ;  for 
in  the  Jersies  and  Pennsylvania,  where  there  is  no  act  in 
her  favour  there  is  four  times  the  number  of  Churchmen 
that  there  are  in  this  province  of  New  York,  and  they  are 
so  most  of  them  upon  principle.  Whereas  nine  parts  in 
ten  of  ours  will  add  no  great  credit  to  whatsoever  Church 
they  are  of,  &g. 

Mr.  Yesey,  m\\o  had  and  still  makes  a  tool  of  that 
weak  man  Poyer,  with  him  prevailed  upon  Mr.  Evans 
of  Philadelphia  and  Mr.  Talbot,  as  I  am  told  by  some,  to 
sign  a  representation  in  direct  terms  against  the  Governor, 

&G.  &G. 

What  ground  Mr.  Poyer  had  for  the  apprehension 
that  justice  would  not  be  done  him  by  the  Judges  be- 
fore whom  his  cause  would  be  tried,  appears  from  the 
following : 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Col.  Heathcote  to  the  Secretary. 

Neav  York,  Feb.  11,  1711. 

Sir, — The  Ships  being  still  detained  by  the  Ice  gives  me 
an  opportunity  of  saying  something  more*  concerning  the 
affairs  of  the  Church  at  Jamaica.  And  I  am  not  a  little 
surprised  that  the  Church's  misfortune  there  is  wholly 
charged  on  account  of  the  alterations  of  some  of  the  offi- 
cers there,  and    that   they  dare    not    go  to  law  for  that 

*  Col.  Heathcote  had  addressed  the  Secretary  before,  under  date  of  Jan. 
5th  and  Jan.  SOth,  1711,  giving  the  same  version  of  Mr.  Foyer's  difRculty 
with  the  Governor  as  that  contained  in  Col.  Lewis  Morris's  letter.  Both 
were  members  of  the  Society. 


140  HISTORY    OF    THE 

reason  :  which  is  a  very  great  mistake  because  no  officers 
are  wanting  to  do  Mr.  Poyer  justice  there  either  in  respect 
of  his  salary  or  otherwise  but  a  Sheriff,  that    he  might 
be  safe  as  to  liis  Juries,  for  as  his  actions  will  be  above  £20 
in  value,    so  must    be  tried    by  the   Chief  Justice,  Mr. 
Mompesson,  who  never  professed  any  other  religion  but 
that  of  the  Church  of  England — and  the  present  Sheriff, 
who  had  the  charge  of  that  County  for  above  a  year,  is  a 
member  of  the  Church  at  Jamaica,  and  was  put  in  that 
post  by  Col.  Hunter  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Foyer's  friends. 
And  altho'  the  removal  which  was  made  among  the  offi- 
cers Avas  what  I  would  not  have  advised  the  Gov'r  to,  yet 
the  mistake  was  not  so  great  as  represented ;   for  some 
time  after  those  changes  were  made,  blaming  one  of  the 
gentlemen  of  the  Council,  who  advised  the  Governor  to 
it,  his  answer  was  that  the  cry  of  the  people  was  so  loud 
against  several  of  the  officers  then  in  place  that  it  was 
absolutely  necessary ;  and  as  for  those  whom  he  and  his 
friends  had  recommended,  the  most  of  'em  were  dissent- 
ers, they  were  on  all  other  accounts  much  fitter  for  it :  nor 
were  all  the  old  officers    turned  out,  nor  all  in  the  new 
commission    dissenters,    as    I    had    been    told,    for    that 
several  of  the  Church  were  still  in  place  and  many  who 
had  been  in  before  were  continued — it  being  their  design 
to  cast  out  ill  men  and  not  the  Church.     Now  altho'  I  was 
not  of  his  mind,  yet  there  was  truth  in  some  things  he 
offered;    for  indeed   many  of  the  instruments    made  use 
of  to  settle  the  Church  at  Jamaica,  in  its  infancy,  were 
of  such  warm  tempers,  and  if  report  is  true  so  indifferent 
in  their  morals,  that,  from  the  first  beginning,  I  never 
expected  it  would  be  settled  with  much  peace  or  reputa- 
tion.    For  instead  of  taking  an  effectual  care  upon  its  first 
settlino;  that  none  were  employed  therein  but  the  best  and 
soberest  men,  and  those  of  the  fairest  character  and  best 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  141 


reputation  among  the  people,  and  caressing  and  making 
use  of  such  to  help  settle  it,  one  Mr.  Cardell,*  a  transient 
person,  and  of  very  indifterent  reputation,  was  recom- 
mended, and  made  High  Sheriff  of  that  County  ;  and  the 
settling  of  the  Church  was  left  in  a  great  measure  to  his 
care  and  conduct.  By  these  imprudent  measures  the  lead- 
ing men  were  disobliged  which  soon  chased  away  most 
of  the  good  and  sober  peoj^le  and  left  her  only  a  very  thin 
conoTco-ation. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  the  Court  in  the  suit 
of  Mr.  Poyer  for  his  first  quarter's  stipend,  to  which 
there  are  so  many  allusions  in  the  preceding  papers. 
Samuel  Coe  and  Daniel  Smith  were  the  Church- 
wardens. 

Queens  County,  Ss. 

At  a  Special  Court,  held  at  Jamaica,  the  27th  day  of 
October,  in  the  9th  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign 
Lady  Anne,  Anno  Dom.  1710 — Present,  John  Coe, 
Judge ;  Samuel  Bayley,  Richard  Oldfield,  Justices: 

Mr.  Thos.  Poyer  per  Mr.  Clows  complains  that  the 
Church  Wardens  do  refuse  to  pay  the  one  quarter's 
salary. 

Court  considered  of  the  compl't  and  find  for  the  def'ts 
with  costs  of  suit. 

The  reasons  of  the  Church  Wardens  against  the  compl't 
of  Mr.  Thos.  Poyer.     Qui  tam,  &c. 

1st.  Because  w^e  had  no  money. 

*  "  He  seized  upon  the  church  land,  divided  it  into  lots,  and  leased  them 
out  for  the  benefit  of  his  own  party.  This  man,  it  seems,  sustained  a  des- 
picable character,  and  being  afterwards  apprehended  for  some  offence,  and 
thrown  into  prison,  hanged  himself  in  despair." — Thomp.  II.  107. 


142  HISTORY    OF    THE 

2dly.  We  had  no  orders  from  the  Justices  and  Yestry, 
according  to  an  Act  of  Assembly  to  pay  any. 

3dly.  Because  we  thought  Mr.  Thos.  Poyer  not  quahfied, 
according  to  the  Act  of  Assembly  of  this  Province  as 
Minister  or  Incumbent  of  Jamaica,  to  demand  the  whole, 
or  any  part  of  the  said  salary. 

True  Copy,  Joseph  Smith,  Clerk. 

Mr.  Poyer  to  the  Secretary. 

[extract.] 

Jamaica,  L.  Island,  March  7,  1712. 
By  the  advice  of  Counsel  I  have  lately  served  the  Dis- 
senter who  is  in  possession  of  the  Parsonage  house  and 
Glebe  with  a  lease  of  Ejectment  for  continuing  the  claim 
but  with  no  design  of  j^rosecuting  to  effect,  for  in  that  I 
shall  not  presume  to  do  anything  till  I  receive  the  express 
commands  of  the  Venerable  Society. 

In  1712  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gos- 
pel in  Foreign  Parts  laid  the  difficulties  of  Mr.  Poyer 
before  the  Queen's  most  Excellent  Majesty,  and  peti- 
tioned "that  in  causes  relating  immediately  to  the 
Church  an  appeal  may  lie  to  your  Governor  and  Coun- 
cil there,  and  to  your  Majesty  and  Privy  Council  here, 
w^ithout  any  restriction  or  limitation  of  the  value  or 
sum  appealed  for." 

Order  of  Council  relating  to  appeals  concerning  the  Church  at 

New   York. 
[extract.] 
At   the   Court  of  St.  James   the   8th  of  January  1712. 
Present, — the  Queen's  most  Excellent  Majesty  in  Coun- 
cil. 

Upon  reading  this  day  at  the  Board  a  report  from  the 


PRESBYTEKL^N    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  14 d 

Lord's  Commissioners  of  Trade  and  Plantations  in  the 
words  following,  viz.  (the  report  after  reciting  the  hard- 
ships of  Mr.  Thos.  Poyer,  Clerk,  agreeable  to  the  repre- 
sentations of  the  Society  aforesaid,  that  he  was  "  wrong- 
fully kept  out  of  the  parsonage  house  and  glebe  by  the 
violence  of  some  sectaries  disaffected  to  the  Church,"  con- 
cludes as  follows.)  This  being  the  state  of  the  case  we 
are  humbly  of  opinion  that  in  cases  where  the  Church  is 
immediately  concerned,  as  in  the  present  case,  your  Majes- 
ty be  graciously  pleased  to  allow  the  Clergy  liberty  of  ap- 
pealing, from  the  Inferior  Courts  to  the  Governor  and 
Council,  only  without  limitation  of  any  sum,  which  is  hum- 
bly submitted. 

Ph  :  Meadows,        F.  Ffoley, 
R.  MoxcKTON,         J.  A.  Cotton. 
Whitehall,  25th  Mvem.  1713. 

Her  Majesty  in  her  Privy  Council  taking  the  same  into 
consideration  was  graciously  pleased  to  approve  the  said 
report,  and  to  order,  as  it  is  hereby  ordered,  that  in  cases 
where  the  Church  is  immediately  concerned,  (as  in  this 
case)  liberty  be  given  to  the  Clergy  to  appeal  from  the  in- 
ferior Courts  to  the  Governor  and  Council  only  without 
limitation  of  any  sum;  and  her  Majesty  is  graciously 
pleased  to  order  that  as  well  in  this,  as  in  other  like  cases 
liberty  be  given  to  the  Clergy  to  appeal  from  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Council  to  her  Majesty  in  Privy  Council^  with- 
out limitation  as  aforesaid  &c. 

(Signed)  Edwaed  Southwell. 

Letter  from  the  Bishop  of  London  to  Mr.  Poyer. 
Sir — I   do   not    in   the  least    believe   it   was   in   your 
thoughts  to  give  any  uneasiness  to  the  Church  or  Gov- 
ernment ;    but  I  must  think  that   your  indiscretion  hath 


144  HISTORY    OF    THE 

been  the  cause  of  it ;  of  which  I  should  have  warned  you 
could  I  have  had  the  opportunity  to  do  it ;  and  must 
now  entreat  you  for  the  future  to  have  a  care  of  foolish 
and  unwary  Advisers.  Pray  therefore  think  your  Gov- 
ernors to  be  wiser  than  yourself,  and  if  you  miscarry  un- 
der that  conduct,  you  will  come  off  with  reputation,  let 
the  event  prove  what  it  w411 :  for  I  must  tell  you  that 
your  application  over  into  England  hath  done  you  and 
the  rest  of  our  Brethren  no  great  Service,  by  referring 
your  case  to  j^eople  at  such  a  distance,  as  neither  do  or 
can  know  any  thing  of  the  merits  of  the  cause.  Be  wiser 
therefore  for  the  time  to  come,  and  believe  me  that  I 
shall  be  always  ready  to  approve  myself, 

Your  most  assured  Friend  and  Brother, 

H :    LoxDox. 
Fulham,  May  21,  1712. 

At  length  an  order  was  passed  b}'  the  Societj^  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel  for  defraying  the  expenses 
Mr.  Pojer  miglit  incur  in  recovering  his  salary  by  due 
course  of  law ;  and  in  1716  he  commenced  his  suit, 
and  at  length  recovered  £16  Ws.  from  the  Church- 
wardens. This  strife  continued  from  year  to  year,  and 
"  proceeded,"  says  Dr.  Elihu  Spencer,  "to  such  lengths 
that  many  of  the  principal  inhabitants  were  harassed 
with  severe  persecutions,  heavy  fines,  and  long  impris- 
onments, for  assuming  their  just  rights,  and  others  fled 
out  of  the  Province  to  avoid  the  rage  of  Episcopal 
cruelty."  As  we  have  seen,  the  power  of  the  throne 
itself  was  invoked  in  this  controversy.  That  the  Pres- 
byterians should  have  held  out,  or  that  they  ever  suc- 
ceeded in  recovering  their  just  rights  against  such  odds, 
is  truly  matter  of  astonishment.     Let  the  present  and 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAJ^LAJCA.  145 

fature  generations  never  forget  that  eternal  vigilance 
was  the  price  their  ancestors  paid  for  the  success  with 
which  their  exertions  were  crowned.  From  soch  men 
it  is  an  honour  to  have  descended,  and  their  memory 
should  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance. 

Mr.  Poyer  to  the  Secretary. 

[extract.] 

Jamaica,  Nov.  4th,  1718. 
Hon'd  Sir, — The  people  of  this  place  are  encouraged 
in  their  obstinacy  by  their  minister,  a  very  designing  man 
and  who  persuades  them  to  what  he  will,  even  not  to  obey 
the  Lawful  commands  of  the  magistrates,  and  they  stick 
not  to  say  that  tho'  there  is  a  Law  for  £60  per  ann.  to 
be  yearly  collected  for  the  minister  of  this  Parish,  and 
tho'  Coll.  Lewis  Morris,  the  Chief  Justice  of  this  Prov- 
ince, has  ordered  a  Writ  of  Mandamus  for  collecting 
the  arrearages  of  the  Minister's  salary — Notwithstanding 
these  orders,  they  say,  if  the  Constables  offer  to  collect  it 
upon  the  Warrants  the  Justices  have  given,  pursuant  to 
the  Writ  aforesaid,  they  will  scald  them,  they  will  stone 
them,  they  will  go  to  Club  Law  with  them,  and  I  know 
not  what. 

The  minister  who  in  the  above  letter  is  represented 
as  exerting  such  an  influence  over  his  people,  was  the 
Kev.  George  McNish.  He  was  settled,  as  stated  al- 
ready, in  lYll,  although  it  is  highly  probable  he 
had  preached  here,  more  or  less,  for  a  year  and  a  half 
before.  Li  1710  Mr.  McNish  was  the  Moderator  of  the 
Presbytery.  Through  his  influence  the  Kev.  Mr.  Pum- 
ry  of  ISTewtown  united  with  the  Presbytery  of  Phila- 
delphia ;  and  in  1717  the  Presbytery  of  Long  Island 
was  formed.     Mr.  McNish  may  therefore  be  regarded 


146  HISTORY    OF    THE 

as  the  father  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  on  Long  Is- 
land. The  Presbytery  of  Long  Ishmd  was  the  first 
presbytery  formed  in  the  Province  of  I^  ew  Yoi'k,  and 
for  many  years,  the  Presbyterian  Churches  in  the  city 
of  'New  York  and  the  county  of  Westchester  were  sub- 
ject to  its  jurisdiction  ;  he  may,  therefore,  with  equal 
propriety,  be  regarded  as  the  father  of  Presbyterian- 
ism,  in  its  distinctive  form,  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
In  1716,  he  was  again  Moderator  of  tlie  Presbytery  of 
Philadelphia,  and  consequently  preached  the  Synodical 
sermon  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Philadel- 
phia in  1717.  His  text  was  John  xxi.  17,  Lovest  thou 
Tnef  The  same  year  (as  he  appears  to  have  contem- 
plated making  a  visit  to  Great  Britain)  he  was  deputed 
by  the  Synod  to  act  as  its  representative  abroad,  for 
the  promotion  of  religion  in  this  country.  This  visit, 
however,  he  did  not  make ;  but  the  appointment,  and 
other  important  services  assigned  him,  prove  that  he 
was  a  leading  and  influential  minister,  and  enjoyed,  in 
no  small  degree,  the  confidence  of  his  brethren. 

Mr.  McNish  is  said  to  have  possessed  about  1000 
acres  of  land  at  "Wallkill,  Orange  Co.  He  left  but  one 
child,  a  son  named  George,  who  married  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  Smith  of  Jamaica,  and  settled  in  Kew  Jersey.* 
In  the  records  of  the  Synod  for  1723  there  is  the  fol- 
lowing entry  : 

"  Upon  reading  the  list  of  ministers  the  Synod  found  to 
their  great  grief  that  Mr.  McNish  was  dead." 

In  the  Church  Register  of  Kewtown  it  is  stated  that 

*  He  was  licensed  to  preach,  but  whether  ordained  is  not  known.  He 
preached  at  Newtown  between  1744  and  1746.  He  died  at  Wallkill  in  1779, 
aged  ^b.— Webster's  Hist,  of  Presb.  Ch. 


PKESBYTEEIAN    CHUECH,    JAMAICA.  14T 


he  died  March  lOtb,  1722.*  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Everitt, 
who  died  in  ISttO,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety -five, 
said  that  she  had  often  seen  his  headstone  in  our  bnry- 
ing-ground.  He  was  consequently  the  third  minister 
this  church  had  lost  by  death,  and  the  second  buried  in 
this  town. 

Although  Mr.  Mcl^ish  was  minister  of  this  congre- 
gation ten  or  eleven  years,  it  is  probable  he  never 
preached  in  the  house  of  worship  belonging  to  it  after 
his  installation,  as  it  was  not  restored  until  several 
years  after  his  death.  Tradition  says  that  he  preached 
in  a  buildino;  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  villao-e,  which 
was  the  "  Meeting  House,"  undoubtedly,  which  the 
Presbyterians  are  represented  to  have  built  in  the  Me- 
morial which  the  Episcopal  missionaries  sent  home  to 
the  Bishop  of  London. 

Jamaica  Aj^prill  y^  §   1*^23 

At  a  town  meeting  held  at  Jamaica  at  y®  time  aforesaid 
it  was  voted  by  y^  majority  of  y®  freeholders  then  &  there 
assembled 

Voted  at  y^  same  meeting  that  Just  Oldfield  Sam"  Smith 
&  Jonathan  Watters  are  to  take  in  their  possession  the 
parsonage  house  &  home  lot  for  to  take  care  of  y^  same 
untill  such  time  as  y^  town  shall  recall  it  out  of  their  hands 

Just  Beats  protest  against  the  above  said  vote 

Mr  Clows  protest  against  the  above  said  vote  as  unnes- 
ary  Incertain  unreasonable  &  illeagull 

at  a  town  meeting  ordered  by  Just  Whithead  &  Just 

Messenger     Entered  by  me  Nehemiah  Smith 

Clerk 

JRecords  III,  p.  475. 

*  Mr.  Pumry,  minister  of  Newtown,  appears  to  have  appreciated  more 
than  many,  the  importance  o^  memoranda  of  this  sort. 


148  HISTORY   OF   THE        y 

THE    REV.    ROBERT    CROSS" 

was  the  next  pastor.  He  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  in 
which  country  he  received  his  education.  He  was  born 
near  Bally  Kelley,  anno  1689.  On  the  19th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1717,  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Phila- 
delphia, he  presented  his  testimonials  as  a  probationer, 
lately  come  from  Ireland,  which  were  approved,  and 
he  was  recommended  to  the  Presbytery  of  Newcastle. 
He  was  ordained  and  settled  at  Newcastle,  March 
ITth,  1T19,  as  the  successor  of  the  Rev.  James  Ander- 
son, transported  by  the  Synod  to  New  York.  From 
the  records  of  the  Presbj^tery  of  Newcastle,  it  appears 
that  he  received  the  call  of  this  congregation  September 
18th,  1723  ;  and  between  that  date  and  the  16th  of 
October,  he  left  Newcastle  and  came  to  Jamaica.  He 
was  minister  at  the  time  the  people  here  recovered 
their  property,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  gathering 
the  flock  once  more  beneath  their  own  vine  and  fig- 
tree,  and  of  witnessing  the  joy  of  men  w4io  had  be- 
come venerable  for  ^^ears,  since  the  period  of  exile  from 
their  house  of  worship.  He  married  Mary  Oldfield,  a 
daughter  of  Mr.  Justice  Oldfield.  Rev.  Mr.  Poyer 
married  Sarah,  another  daughter  of  said  Oldfield. 

In  the  year  1721,  ejectment  suits  were  brought  by 
Mr.  Poyer,  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  New  York,  against 
several  tenants  in  possession  of  the  parsonage  lands. 
Judgment,  as  the  Town  Records  show,  went  against 
Mr.  Poyer.*     At  length,  in  the  year  1727,  the  Pres- 

*  Jamaica  Jenewarv  ye  ^()^  17  24-5 

att  a  town  meeting  held  at  Jamaica  at  the  time  aforesaid  voted  whereas 
lately  at  the  Supream  Cort  of  ye  city  of  New  York  Ejectments  was  broght 
by  Mr  thomas  poyer  a  church  of  Enland  minister  against  sewerall  Tent^  in 


PKESBYTEEIAN    CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  149 

bjterians,  after  great  expense,  by  a  due  course  of  law 
recovered  their  church,  and  had  their  title  to  the  par- 
sonage and  glebe  lands  confirmed  to  them.  Lewis 
Morris,  afterwards  Governor  of  IS^ew  Jersey,  was,  at 
that  time,  Chief  Justice,  and  presided  at  the  trial.  He 
encountered  no  little  obloquy ;  his  character  was  as- 
persed ;  and,  not  long  after  the  trial,  he  was  suspended 
from  the  ofiice  of  Chief  Justice  by  Governor  Cosby. 
Judge  Morris  wrote  to  the  Board  of  Trade,  showing 
that  the  resentment  of  the  Governor  was  causeless ; 
and  he  thought  it  necessary",  on  soliciting  that  his  office 
might  be  restored,  to  publish  the  grounds  of  his  de- 
cision in  the  above  case. 

Fulham  Manuscripts. 
[extract.] 

New  Yokk,  July  14,  1*727. 
My  Lord  : — I  have  been  informed  by  Mr.  Poyer  that 
there  is  an  Action  commenced  by  the  Presbyterians  of 

possesion  of  the  parsonage  lands  viz  homestead  &  out  lands  in  this  town 
formerij  sett  apart  for  the  use  of  a  minister  &  whereas  judgement  went 
against  the  said  Mr.  Pover  as  may  appear  :  now  according  to  the  town  vote 
made  June  ye  19  : — 1676  which  is  that  there  shall  be  forty  acres  of  medow 
designed  &  sett  apart  for  a  parsonage  lot  in  y®  east  neck  joyning  to  the 
lotts  of  meadows  laid  out  with  upland  proporsionable  to  other  lots 
laid  out  in  ye  town  to  continue  at  ye  disspose  of  the  town  to  a  min- 
isster  when  they  hare  occasion  to  make  use  of  it  wee  doe  vote  & 
agree  that  Mr  Rob'  Crose  minister  of  ye  said  town  shall  have  the  use  bene- 
fit &  possession  of  ye  said  homstead  meadows  &  upland  laid  out  &  appre- 
priated  for  the  use  abovesaid  there  being  need  &  occasion  for  it  to  be  & 
remaine  to  him  &  his  assigns  duering  he  shall  continue  our  minister 

voted  at  ye  same  ^own  meeting  that  Jon'^i  Watters  &  Sani'i  Smith  doe 
immediately  put  Mr  Rob'  Cross  minister  in  possesion  of  ye  abovesaid  lands 
&  meadows  wherein  he  is  not  allready  possesioned 

Samuell  Clowes  enter  his  protest  against  }••  two  last  votes  aflBrming  it 
not  to  be  in  ye  power  of  ye  whole  township  much  less  of  ye  major  part 
of  this  town  meeting  to  make  svich  votes 

Entered  by  me  Nehemiah  Smith  Clerk 

Records  III.,  476-7. 


150  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Jamaica  in  Long  Island,  for  the  English  Church  which 
they  pretend  was  built  by,  and  was  taken  by  violence  from 
them,  by  my  Lord  Cornbury. 

I  know  nothing  certain  about  their  claims,  but  if  they 
take  the  course  of  law,  I  cannot  heljo  it ;  but  they  having 
committed  a  riot  in  taking  jDossession  of  the  church,  the 
Attorney  General  here  has  entered  an  information  against 
them,  and  refused  them  a  noli  prosequi  upon  their  appli- 
cation, tliat  their  rashness  may  be  attended  tvith  charge  and 
trouble  at  least,  if  not  punishment,  ivhich  may  ^:)e?7ia/).s  dis- 
courage  them  in  their  suit,  or  mQ,ke  them  loilling  to  compro- 
mise it. 

My  Lord,  &c., 

W.  Burnett. 

Governor  Burnett  was  the  son  of  the  Bishop  of  Sa- 
rum,  and  was  the  Governor  of  New  York  from  1720 
to  1728. 

Revd.  Mr.  Poyer  to  the  Secretary. 

Rev  Sir  Jamaica  June  16'^  1V31 

By  this  opportunity  I  beg  leave  humbly  to  represent  to 
my  Honb^®  Patrons  the  Venerable  Society  for  Propagating 
the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts  that  I  have  been  their  Mis- 
sionary here  21  years  &  may  without  incurring  the  imputa- 
tion of  boasting  say  that  my  diligence  in  the  discharge  of 
my  functions  has  been  little  inferior  to  any  I  pray  God  to 
give  a  blessing  to  the  seed  sown  but  so  it  is  that  besides 
the  great  and  almost  continual  contentions  that  I  have  strug- 
gled withal  amongst  the  Lidependents  in  this  Parish  hav- 
ing had  several  law  suites  with  them  before  I  could  have 
the  Salary  which  the  Country  has  settled  upon  the  minis- 
ter of  the  Church  of  England  several  other  law  suits  for 
Glebe  lands  which  we  have  lost  and  at  last  even  the  Church 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  151 

itself  of  which  we  had  the  possession  25  years  is  taken  from 
us  by  a  trial  at  law  (with  what  justice  I  cant  pretend  to  say) 
tho'  I  say  I  have  endeavoured  as  patiently  as  I  could  to 
bear  up  under  all  these  trials  besides  the  loss  of  two  Wives 
and  Several  children  yet  the  iniirmities  of  old  age  bear 
very  hard  upon  me  insomuch  that  I  find  myself  almost  un- 
able to  officiate  at  the  three  towns  of  Jamaica  Newtown 
and  Flushing  as  I  have  hitherto  done  and  which  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  the  Minister  of  the  Parish  to  do. 

The  intent  of  these  are  therefore  to  beg  that  my  dis- 
tressed state  and  condition  may  be  laid  before  the  Yener^^^ 
Society  and  that  they  may  be  pleased  to  permit  me  to  quit 
my  Mission  and  to  return  to  great  Britain  as  being  for  the 
reasons  aforegiven  not  capable  of  bearing  such  fatigues  and 
discharging  my  duty  as  I  have  done  for  so  many  years  in 
this  place.  I  humbly  beg  of  my  most  honored  patrons  to 
consider  my  case  &  circumstances  &  I  remain  &g 

Thos  Poter 

Mevd.  Mr.  Campbell  to  the  Secretary/. 

New  York  November  3*^  1731 
Rev  Sir 

*  *  *  Mr  Poyer  is  a  much  better  man  and  Christian 
than  himself  [Mr  Vesey  is  referred  to]  whom  he  endeavors 
to  remove  from  his  Mission  in  Jamaica,  he  is  a  Grandson  of 
Coll  Poyer  who  died  in  the  gallant  defence  of  Pembroke 
Castle  in  the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell  which  alone  I  hope 
will  recommend  him  to  the  favour  and  protection  of  the  sen- 
sible and  generous  Dr  Humphreys ;  he  is  a  good  natured 
honest  man  and  is  beneficent  to  his  neighbors,  which  I  take 
to  be  qualities  superior  to  any  Mr  Yesey  is  possessed  of; 
He  has  prevailed  with  Mr  Poyer  to  send  a  letter  home  de- 
siring to  be  recalled  which  would  infallibly  ruin  the  poor 
Gentleman  and  his  numerous  family ; 


152  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Therefore  I  entreat  you  to  take  care  that  the  Society's 
answer  may  entirely  leave  it  at  his  own  choice ;  whether 
to  go  home  or  not ;  this  I  write  at  the  desire  of  his  best 
friends. 

The  secret  of  this  is  that  Mr  Vesey  wants  to  get  quit  of 
Mr  Colffan  and  send  him  to  Jamaica  tho  he  must  needs  be 
sensible  that  Mr  Poyer  will  be  ruined  if  he  goes  home  or 
leaves  his  Mission         ***** 

Mr.   Campbell  to  the  Secretary. 
[extract.] 

New  York,  Jan.  25,  1732. 
Sir  : — The  Presbyterians  by  the  sly  tricks  and  quirks  of 
the  common  law,  got  the  church,  the  parsonage  house,  and 
lands  into  their  possession,  and  now  they  are  resolved  to 
deprive  the  next  missionary  of  £60  currency  settled  as  a 
yearly  salary,  by  an  Act  of  Assembly.  The  next  mission- 
ary may  depend  upon  it,  he  must  either  engage  in  a  Law- 
suit against  the  Dissenters,  or  throw  up  tlie  salary  above- 
mentioned. 

Mr.  Colgan  to  the  Secretary. 
[extract.] 

Jamaica,  June  14th,  1734. 

Rev'd   Sir  :  Upon  my  first  coming  into  the 

parish,  I  found  the  Church  in  a  declining  condition.  The 
Quakers  and  Independents  have  been  very  busy  to  subvert, 
and  by  many  studied  arts  and  rules,  utterly  to  destroy  it — 
I  may  say  the  Christian  religion  here.  One  of  their  strat- 
asrems  was  to  sue  for  an  edifice  wherein  divine  service  was 
performed  by  Ministers  of  the  Church  of  England  for  near 
30  years,  by  pretence  that  they  had  better  right  in  it  than 
the  Church  members.  And  this  met  with  not  a  little  suc- 
cess, for  in  suing  Mr.  Poyer,  my  predecessor,  who  being 
defendant  in  the  case,  they,  upon  a  very  odd  turn  in  the 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  153 

trial,  cast  him.  I  am  informed  that  in  this  suit,  the  Coun- 
sel upon  the  part  of  the  Church  always  designed  to  put 
the  matter  upon  some  points  of  law  which  are  clearly  in 
the  Church's  favour,  and  accordingly  at  the  time  of  trial  of- 
fered to  demur  in  law,  but  was  diverted  therefrom  by  the 
late  Chief  Justice,  Lewis  Morris,  Esq.,  (before  whom  the 
trial  was,)  who  told  them  that  he  would  recommend  it  to 
the  Jury  to  find  a  special  Verdict,  and  if  they  did  not,  but 
found  generally  and  against  the  Church,  he  would  then  al- 
low a  new  trial — which,  after  the  Jury  had  found  a  general 
verdict  against  the  Church,  he  absolutely  refused,  when 
the  Counsel  for  the  Church  laid  claim  to  his  promise,  and 
strongly  insisted  upon  the  benefit  thereof.  I  have  been 
told  by  some  of  the  Counsel  for  the  Church  that  the  only 
seeming  reason  he  gave  for  his  denial  was  that  a  bad  prom- 
ise was  better  broken  than  kept,  and  thus  an  end  was  put 
to  the  controversy. 

The  town  having  recovered  their  house  of  worship, 
Mr.  Cross,  the  Presbyterian  minister,  was  immediately 
put  in  possession  of  it,  and  his  successors  enjoyed  the 
undisturbed  possession  of  it  as  long  as  that  venerable 
edifice  remained.  Still,  however,  the  Episcopal  clergy 
continued  to  be  supported  by  a  tax  on  the  inhabitants, 
Presbyterians,  Dutch  Reformed,  and  others,  from 
which  they  were  not  relieved  until  the  Revolution  of 
1776.  But  to  this  subject  I  shall  have  occasion  to  re- 
fer again. 


154  HISTORY   OF   THE 


CHAPTEE     VI. 
17^4.-1774^. 

A  FREE  SCHOOL  —  THE  TOWN  TAKE  POSSESSION  OP  THE  CHURCH  —  MR.  CROSS 
CALLED  TO  PHILADELPHIA  —  THE  PEOPLE  STRENDOUSLY  OPPOSE  HIS  RE- 
MOVAL —  HIS  REMOVAL  —  HIS  EPITAPH  —  WALTER  WILMOT  —  PUT  IN  POS- 
SESSION OF  THE  PARSONAGE  —  MRS.  WILMOT  —  HER  DEATH  —  MR.  WHITEFIELD 
VISITS  THE  PLACE  —  HIS  PREACHING  ON  REGENERATION  TROUBLES  MK. 
COLGAN  —  EFFECT  —  MR.  WILMOt'S  DEATH  —  EPITAPH  —  MR.  COLGAN  RE- 
JOICES—  DAVID  BOSTWICK  —  TOWN  FORMALLY  SURRENDERS  CHURCH  PROP- 
ERTr  TO  THE  PRESBYTERIANS  —  THE  RECORD  —  MR.  BOSTWICK  CALLED  TO 
NEW  YORK  — COMMITTEE  OF  SYNOD  MEET  AT  JAMAICA  ON  HIS  REMOVAL  — 
MR.  BOSTWICK  APPOINTED  TO  SUPPLY  NEW  YORK  —  COMMITTEE  OP  SYNOD 
MEET  AT  PRINCETON  —  VOTE  FOR  HIS  REMOVAL  —  HIS  MINISTRY  IN  NEW 
YORK  —  HIS  PUBLICATIONS,  CHARACTER  AND  DEATH  —  ELIHU  SPENCER  — 
ORDAINED  AS  A  MISSIONARY  TO  THE  INDIANS  —  HIS  KNOWLEDGE  OP  THE 
INDIAN  LANGUAGES  —  SETTLES  AT  ELIZABETHTOWN — REMOVES  TO  JAMAICA 
—  CHAPLAIN    IN   THE    FRENCH    AND   INDIAN   WAR  —  SETTLES  AT   ST.    GEORGe's 

del.  —  removes  to  trenton,  n.  j.  —  his  ready  talent  —  epitaph  —  his 
descendants  —  b.  bradner  —  wm.  mills  —  number  in  communion  —  re- 
vival of  religion  —  effect  op  an  account  of  the  revival  at  bast- 
hampton —  mr.  whitefield  visits  jamaica,  the  second  time  —preaches 
in  an  orchard  —  a  tract  by  mr.  mills  —  mr.  seabury  vs.  mr.  white- 
field  —  mr.  mills  declines  a  call  to  philadelphia  —  his  death  — 
his  disease  —  his  children  —  his  mss.  —  people  still  resist  the  tax 
to  support  the  episcopal  ministry  —  mr.  bloomer  on  the  political 
troubles  of  177(3 — shuts  his  church  for  five  sundays  until  the 
king's  troops  arrive. 

JAMAICA  May  the  forth  1726  at  a  town  meeting 

held  at  Jamaica  at  the  time  aforesaid  it  was  voted  by 
y*  majority  of  the  freeholders  then  &  there  assembled 

voted  that  Mr.  Pier  [Poyer]  Mr  Cross  Just  Betts  Just 
Messinger  Just  Smith  &  Clerk  Smith  are  appointed  and 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  JAMAICA.         155 

cliosen  to  see  what  peojDle  are  willing  to  agree  to  doe  or  sub- 
scribe toward  y  incorrigement  of  a  free  seoule  in  y^  town 

entered  by  me  nehe'"  Smith  cletk 

Records  III.  p.  478. 

Jamaica  febrewary  the  21**  1V26-7 

At  a  town  meeting  held  at  Janaica  at  y'  time  aforesaid 
it  was  voted  &  concluded  by  y*  majority  of  y"  freeholders 
then  &  there  assembled 

that  y  ground  whereon  y^  stone  building  or  meeting 
house  now  stands  in  Jamaica  with  y^  said  building  itselfe 
which  are  situate  near  y*  middle  of  the  maine  street  in 
Jamaica  abovesaid  near  where  y^  old  pound  lately  stood 
&  in  y*  occupation  of  Mr  Thomas  Poyer  shall  be  granted 
&  assigned  unto  John  carpenter  Jonas  Wood  and  Ben- 
jamin Thurstone,  sume  of  y^  surviving  trusteese  by  whome 
it  was  built  &  it  is  hereby  granted  and  assigned  unto 
y*  said  John  Carj^enter  Jonas  wood  tfc  Benjamin  Thurstone 
to  have  and  to  hold  the  lands  in  trust  for  y^  town  &  to  be 
disposed  of  by  them  in  trust  for  y*  town  according  to 
y^  first  intention  of  y^  builders 

Just  Beets  Mr  Poyer  Just  oldfield  &  Richard  Comes 
enter  their  protest  against  y*  abovesaid  vote  &  Mr  clows 
alsoe  protest  against  y*  same  vote 

Entered  by  me  ISTehemiah  Smith  clerk 

Records  III.  p.  478. 

In  1734,  it  appears  that  the  First  Presbyterian. 
Church  in  Philadelphia  had  given  Mr.  Cross  a  call,  as 
the  matter  of  his  removal  was  before  the  Synod  to  be 
there  determined.  The  Commissioners  from  Jamaica 
and  Philadelphia  were  heard  at  length,  "  and  after  the 
most  critical  examination  of  the  affair,  and  the  solemn 
imploring  the  divine  assistance,  the  matter  was  put  to 


156  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

vote  and  carried  against  Mr.  Cross's  transportation." 
Tlie  Church  at  Philadelphia  was  divided ;  there  being 
a    considerable   party  opposed    to    Mr.    Cross.      The 
next    year  that    part  of   the   congregation   in  favour 
of   Mr.   Cross,  petitioned    the    Synod    to    be  erected 
into  a  new  congregation.      The  petition  was  granted 
by  a  large  majority.     In  1736,  a  call  was  presented 
to  him  from  the  new  congregation,  formed  agreeably 
to  the  permission  of   Synod  given  the   year   before, 
"and   his   sentiments   concerning   it   desired    by    the 
Synod."      In    answer,    Mr.    Cross    declared    that    he 
thought   the  Synod  could   not  determine   this  matter 
until  his  people  had  been  duly  apprized  of  it,  and  that 
as  things  now  appeared  it  was  "  his  duty  to  stay  with 
the  people  of  Jamaica."    "After  much  and  long  debat- 
ing about  this  affair,"  the  Synod  at  length  adopted  an 
overture  that  judgment  should  be  deferred  concerning 
it  until  the  next  meeting  of  Synod,  that  the  people  of 
Jamaica  might  be  apprized  of  the  business,  and  have 
an  opportunity  to  bring  in  their  objections  against  Mr. 
Cross's  removal.*     In  the  mean  time,  Mr.  Cross  was 
appointed  to  supply  the  new  congregation  in  Philadel- 
phia, for  two  months,  before  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Synod ;  and  provision  was,  at  the  same  time,  made  for 
supplying  the  people  of  Jamaica,  during  Mr.  Cross's 
absence.     The  next  year.  May  27th,  1737,  the  subject 
of  Mr.  Cross's  removal  to  Philadelphia  came  again  be- 
fore the  Synod ;  the  people  of  Jamaica  presented  their 


*  Elizabeth  Ashbridge,  a  celebrated  qnakeress  of  that  day,  has  left  this 
record  :  "  His  people  almost  adored  him,  and  impoverished  themselves  to 
equal  the  sum  offered  him  in  the  city;  but  failing  in  this  they  lost  him." — 
Spragu^s  Annals. 


PEE8BYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  157 

reasons  why  he  should  not  be  removed,  and  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  newly  erected  congregation  at  Phila- 
delphia "put  in  a  supplication"  designed  to  invalidate 
"  the  supplication  from  Jamaica."  Mr.  Cross  submit- 
ted himself  wholly  to  the  judgment  of  the  Synod.  "  The 
Synod  entered  upon  a  very  serious  debate  about  this 
whole  affair,  in  which  considerable  time  being  spent, 
at  last,  after  solemn  calling  upon  God  for  light  and  di- 
rection in  such  a  momentous  matter,  it  was  put  to  the 
vote,  Transport  Mr.  Cross  from  Jamaica  to  Philadel- 
phia or  not ;  and  it  w^as  carried  in  the  aflSrmative,  ne- 
mine  contradicente.  The  Synod  appointed  Messrs. 
Thompson  and  Anderson  to  prepare  a  suitable  letter 
to  the  congregation  of  Jamaica,  signifying  what  w^as 
done  in  said  affair."  This  was  ordered  at  the  request 
of  Mr.  Cross.  In  the  minutes  of  Synod  for  1738,  there 
is  the  following  entry:  "It  is  reported  that  Mr.  Kobert 
Cross  was  installed,  since  our  last,  according  to  the 
Synod's  appointment,  and  that  the  two  congregations 
in  Philadelphia  were  since  united."  He  remained  pas- 
tor of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia,  till 
his  death,  which  took  place  in  August,  1766.  He  was 
buried  in  the  cemetery  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Philadelphia.  The  following  is  the  inscrip- 
tion on  his  tomb  : 

*'  Under  this  marble  are  deposited  the  bodies  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Robert  Cross,  who  was  born  near  Bally  Kally  in 
Ireland  anno  1689,  and  died  anno  1766,  and  of  Mary,  his 
wife,  who  was  born  in  New^  York  anno  1688,  and  died 
anno  1766. 

"He  was  removed  from  a  pastoral  charge  in  Long 
Island  to  be  one  of  the  ministers  of  the  First  Presbyterian 


158  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Church,  in  this  city,  anno  1737.  He  excelled  in  prudence 
and  gravity,  and  a  general  deportment,  was  esteemed  for 
his  learned  acquaintance  with  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and 
long  accoimted  one  of  the  most  respectable  ministers  in 
this  j^rovince. 

"Keadek,  imitate  his  virtues  and  prepare  for 

Death." 

In  1735,  Mr.  Cross  published  a  sermon,  preached 
before  the  commission  of  Synod  at  Philadelphia,  which 
he  affectionately  dedicated  to  liis  people  at  Jamaica. 
In  the  dedication  he  says  :  ''  It  is  now  (my  friends)  al- 
most twelve  years  since  you  called  me  to  the  delightful 
work  of  the  ministry  among  you."  He  remained  pas- 
tor of  this  church  almost  fourteen  years,  and  it  is  evi- 
dent was  very  highly  esteemed  in  Jamaica.  There  is 
tradition  of  a  revival  of  religion  in  the  congregation 
during  his  ministry,  as  the  fruit  of  which  a  consider- 
able number  joined  the  church.  It  is  certain  that  he 
was  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  influential  ministers 
of  the  day  in  which  he  lived. 

at  a  town  meeting  att  Jamaica  5th  aprill  1737 
voted  by  y^  majority  of  the  freeholders  then  and  there 
assembled  that  I^athan  Smith  &  Hendrick  Elderd  are 
chosen  assessors  for  the  insuing  year  &  they  are  obliged 
to  take  a  new  assessment  &  deliver  a  copj^ey  of  y*  same 
to  the  vestrymen  in  order  for  their  making  the  Parish 
Rate  Records  III.  p.  467. 

The  Rev. 

WALTER   WILMOT 

was  ordained  here  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  York, 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  159 

April  12th,  1738,-^  Mr.  Peinberton  of  Kew  York  preach- 
ing on  the  occasion,  from  Col.  i.  7.  He  was  born  at 
Southampton,  on  this  island,  in  1709  ;  was  educated 
at  Yale,  where  he  graduated  in  1735.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Jotham  Townsend,  of  Oyster  Bay,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mrs.  Wilmot  was  a 
woman  eminent  for  piety,  but  she  died  at  the  early 
age  of  twenty-three  years.  The  sermon  preached  at 
her  funeral  in  Oyster  Bay,  where  she  was  interred,  is 
in  my  possession.  It  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Eben- 
ezer  Prime,  of  Huntington,  from  Ezek.  xxiv.  16.  I  have 
also  a  copy  of  the  Journal  kept  by  Mrs.  Wilmot,  which 

*  Frydaj  21  aprill  1738  at  a  publick  town  meeting  of  je  inhabitants  & 
freeholders  of  Jamaica  at  ye  County  Hall  Yoted  ordered  &  concluded  that 
the  parsonage  house  &  homestead  together  with  all  &  singular  the  outlands 
meadow  tenements  &  hereditaments  thereunto  belonging  shall  be  abide 
remain  &  continue  in  the  peaceable  occupation  &  use  of  Mr  Walter  Wilmot 
the  present  presbeterian  minister  of  the  said  town  for  during  &  so  long  as 
he  shall  remain  &  continue  our  minister  (at  ye  same  town  meeting)  voted 
yt  capt  Increas  Carpenter  Just  Henry  Ludlum  &  Just  Richard  Everit  are 
appointed  to  put  Mr  Walter  Wilmot  in  possession  of  ye  parsonage  house  & 
land  &  meadow  as  above  exprest  pr  Samll  Smith  Jun""  clerk 

Records  III.  p.  4:QQ. 

Whereas  at  a  publick  town  meeting  at  Jamaica  in  Queens  County,  the 
freeholders  of  the  said  town  being  duly  called  &  did  meet  at  the  County 
Hall  on  friday  the  21^  day  of  aprill  anno :  1738  it  was  then  &  there  voted 
by  the  majority  of  the  said  freeholders  that  Increase  Carpenter  Just  Henry 
Ludlum  &  Just  Richard  Everit  should  put  the  Revd  Mr  Walter  Wilmot 
the  present  Presbyterian  miuester  of  the  congregation  of  Jamaica  above 
said  in  possession  of  the  parsonage  house  homestead  and  all  other  the  land 
meadow  tenements  &  hereditements  there  unto  belonging  We  did  there 
fore  persuent  to  the  above  power  on  the  26th  day  of  april  anno:  1738  take 
the  above  premises  into  our  possession  &  the  same  did  deliver  into  the 
peaceable  possession  &  seisin  of  the  said  Mr.  Walter  Wilmot  during  so 
long  as  he  shall  continue  minister  of  the  said  congregation  as  followeth 
the  house  &  homestead  we  put  into  his  peaceable  possession  in  presence 
of  James  Cebra  &  Elijah  Barton :  the  outlands  &  meadow  in  presence  of 
Benjamin  Smith  jun""  &  James  Cebra,  as  evidences  we  took  with  us  for 
that  purpose  entered  per  Samii  Smith  Jun'  elk 

Records  III.  p.  465  &  6. 


160  HISTORY    OF   THE 

was  publislied  by  her  husband,  after  her  death.  In  the 
dedication  "to  Mr.  Jotham  Townsend,  father  of  the 
deceased,  Mr.  Wilmot  says :  "  In  the  latter  part  of  her 
life,  she  scarcely  seemed  to  be  an  inhabitant  of  this 
world;  for  as  she  had  frequently  intimations  of  her  de- 
parture, so  she  kept  death  in  view,  and  made  it  her 
grand  concern  to  be  found  ready.  Her  time,  her  powers, 
her  soul,  her  body,  in  a  word  her  all,  for  some  months 
before  she  left  us,  seemed  devoted  to  the  service  and 
glory  of  her  dear  Kedeemer."  "  'Tis  with  pleasure  I  can 
observe  your  daughter  was  generally  beloved  and  hon- 
oured whilst  she  lived  amongst  us.  I  believe  I  shall  not 
easily  forget  you  nor  your  family,  out  of  which  I  have 
had  so  desireable  a  companion.  Her  stay  with  me  in- 
deed was  short;  but  it  was  pleasant  and  very  agreeable: 
I  may  say  without  vanity,  we  lived  together  in  perfect 
harmony,  and  knew  no  other  strife  betwixt  us,  but  that 
of  making  each  other  happy :  in  this  we  strove  to  excel ; 
and  in  this,  no  doubt,  she  had  the  pre-eminence.  Let  us 
join  to  remember  the  dear  infant,  the  little  image  of  her- 
self, she  has  left  behind  her;  'tis  the  only  remaining 
part  of  an  obedient  daughter  and  tender  wife."  The 
affecting  little  volume  closes  with  this  passage  from  her 
private  papers :  "  O  how  many  fears  attend  me !  O  that 
I  knew  how  it  must  be  with  my  soul  when  I  depart 
this  life !  I  shall  within  a  few  days  pass  through  a 
scene  of  darkness ;  and  I  know  not  but  it  will  be  the 
dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death ;  and  then  except 
the  Lord  support  me  I  shall  fall.  O  my  soul,  meditate 
on  the  season.  Make  haste  and  not  delay  to  be  found 
crying  for  a  sealed  pardon  from  the  great  Judge  of 
Heaven ;  that  when  death  approaches,  thou  mayest  be 


PRESBYTEKIAJN^    CHTJECH,    JAMAICA.  161 

found  ready  to  depart :  O  Lord,  be  my  helper.  Grant 
that  whether  I  live  or  die,  I  may  be  the  Lord's.  Be 
with  me  this  night  for  the  sake  of  Clirist,  Amen.  This 
day  sweet  advice  from  a  near  friend,  to  trust  only  in 
God."  On  the  above  her  husband  remarks:  "This  per- 
haps was  the  last  passage  she  ever  wrote.  She  lived 
without  any  remarkable  alteration  till  the  Friday  follow- 
ing; was  taken  amiss  that  evening,  was  soon  speechless, 
and  in  a  great  measure  senseless.  On  Saturday  about 
three  of  the  clock  fell  asleep  ('tis  hopeful)  in  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  On  the  next  Monday  following,  she  was 
interred  at  Oyster  Bay,  the  place  of  her  nativity ;  and 
has  left  me  to  bewail  an  unspeakable  loss.  When  I 
returned  home  and  looked  amongst  her  papers,  the 
following  lines  to  me  (which  must  have  been  w^ritten 
near  two  months  before  her  death)  lay  first  in  sight, 
and  came  first  to  hand  : 

'  De^r  partner  of  my  eartlily  love, 
I  quickly  from  you  shall  remove ; 
My  soul  will  take  lier  hasty  flight, 
To  everlasting  shades  of  night, 
Or  to  the  endless  realms  of  light.'  " 

Mr.  Wilmot  w^as  evidently  a  man  distinguished  for 
spirituality  of  mind  and  ardor  of  piety ;  and  although 
he  died  young,  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  his  ministry 
here  was  crowned  with  the  happiest  results  ;  but  what 
those  results  actually  were,  from  the  paucity  of  our 
records  and  the  failure  of  tradition,  cannot  now  cer- 
tainly be  known.  Li  1740  it  is  evident  Mr,  Whitefield 
visited  this  place,  and  that  his  labours,  as  elsewhere, 
were  greatly  blessed  to  the  awakening  of  numbers  to 
attend  to  the  salvation  of  their  souls.     The  efiect  of 


162  '  HISTORY    OF   THE 

his  labours  may  be  judged  of  by  the  following  extracts 
from  letters  of  Mr.  Colgan,  the  Episcopal  missionary 
here,  at  that  time^  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Society  for 
the  Propagation  of  Religion  in  Foreign  Parts : 

Jamaica,  Nov.  22d,  1740. 
Some  enthusiastical  itinerant  teachers  have  of  late  been 
preaching  upon  this  Island,  the  notorious  Mr.  Whitfield 
being  at  the  head  of  them,  and  among  other  pernicious 
tenets  have  broached  such  false  and  erroneous  opinions 
concerning  the  doctrine  of  Regeneration  as  tend  to  the 
destruction  of  true  religion  and  of  a  holy  and  virtuous 
life ;  and  therefore  I  take  this  opportunity  to  beg  that  the 
Society  would  be  pleased  to  bestow  upon  the  people  of 
this  Parish  a  few  of  Dr.  Waterland's  pieces  on  that  subject, 
and  of  his  Lordship,  the  Bishop  of  London's  Pastoral  Let- 
ters upon  lukewarmness  and  enthusiasm. 

The  opinions  of  Mr.  Whitefield  on  the  doctrine  of 
regeneration  are  perfectly  well  known ;  he  hardly 
preached  a  sermon  without  insisting  upon  it;  "and  one, 
and  perhaps  the  best  of  his  discourses,"  says  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Smith,  who  published  a  discourse  on  his 
character  and  preaching,  "  was  ex  jyrofesso  on  this 
subject." 

It  was  in  1739  that  Mr.  Whitefield  sailed  the  second 
time  for  America.  He  arrived  in  Philadelphia  in 
I^ovember  of  that  3'ear,  and  from  thence  was  invited 
to  NcAV  York,  Avhere  he  preached  in  the  open  air  in 
the  day  time,  and  in  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pemberton's  Church 
in  the  evening,  for  above  a  week.  It  was  at  this 
time,  probably,  he  visited  Jamaica;  and,  wherever  he 
preached,  thousands  were  gathered  from  various  parts. 


PKESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  163 

"  It  was  no  less  pleasing  than  strange  to  liim  to  see 
such  gatherings  in  a  foreign  land  ;  ministers  and  peo- 
ple shedding  tears ;  sinners  struck  with  awe ;  and 
serious  persons  who  had  been  much  run  down  and 
despised,  filled  with  joy."*  The  Messrs.  Tennents,  Blair, 
Rowland,  and  Mr.  Frelinghuysen,  a  Dutch  minister, 
received  him  gladly ;  and  these  devoted  men,  or  some 
of  them,  were  doubtless  the  "  enthusiastical  itinerant 
teachers,"  referred  to  in  Mr.  Colgan's  epistle,  associated 
with  Mr.  Whitefield.  It  is  gratifj^ing  to  contemplate 
Mr.  Wilmot  as  a  man  of  kindi-ed  spirit  with  these  emi- 
nently holy  and  useful  men.  A  work  of  grace,  under 
their  combined  labours,  evidently  took  place  here,  and 
in  the  surrounding  region,  which  continued  for  a  con- 
siderable period,  as  appears  from  the  follow^ing : 

Mr.  Colgcin  to  the  Secretary. 
[extract.] 

Jamaica,  March  23d,  1743. 
Rev'd  Sir, — Our  Church  here  is  in  a  flourishing  con- 
dition; her  being  depressed  of  late  by  those  clouds  of 
error  and  enthusiasm,  which  hung  so  heavily  about  her, 
has  in  effect  tended  to  her  greater  illustration  and  glory. 
If  the  Society  would  be  pleased  to  order  me  some  small 
tracts,  such  as  the  Trial  of  Mr.  Whitfield's  Spirit,  An 
Englishman  directed  in  the  choice  of  his  Religion,  Bishop 
Stillingfleet's  Unreasonableness  of  Separation,  &c.  [In  a 
previous  letter  dated  Dec.  loth,  1741,  from  Mr.  C.  to  the 
Secretary  this  sentence  occurs :  "  Enthusiasm  has  of  late 
been   very   predominant  amongst    us " — language   which 

*  Gillie's  Memoirs  of  Whitefield,  chap.  v. 


164  HISTORY    OF   THE 

refers  to  a  state  of  things  which  we  have  no  difficulty  in 
understanding.] 

Mr.  Wilmot  was  of  a  delicate  constitution,  and 
soon  followed  his  wife  to  the  grave.  She  died  in  Febru- 
ary, and  he  died  on  the  6th  of  the  following  August, 
174:4:.  The  following  entry  is  found  in  the  records 
of  the  church  at  Newtown :  "  The  Rev.  Mr.  Walter 
Wilmot  was  taken  sick  the  loth  day  of  July,  1744,  in 
the  evening.  Departed  this  life  the  6th  day  of  August 
following,  about  two  of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon,  and 
was  interred  on  the  7th  inst.,  and  has  left  his  honored 
mother  and  people  to  bewail  an  unspeakable  loss." 

Mr.  Wilmot  was  greatly  beloved  by  his  people,  and 
his  death  was  sincerely  regretted.  Many  children  re- 
ceived the  name  of  Walter,  or  Walter  Wilmot,  in 
memory  of  him.  He  was  the  fourth  minister  who  died 
pastor  of  this  church,  and  the  third  buried  in  this  town. 
His  grave-stone  still  stands  in  the  burying-ground  be- 
longing to  the  congregation — the  inscription  on  which 
is  as  follows : 

Here  lyes 

the  Rev,  Walter  Wilmot^ 

Deo' d  Aug.  y'  Uh,  1744, 

^tatis  35. 

No  more  from  sacred  desk  I  preach, 

You  hear  my  voice  no  more, 
Yet,  from  the  dead  my  dust  shall  teach 

The  same  I  taught  before. 

Be  ready  for  this  dark  abode. 

That  when  our  bodies  rise, 
We  meet  with  joy  the  Son  of  God, 

Descending  from  the  skies. 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  165 

Rev^d  Mr.  Colgan  to  the  Secretary. 

Jamaica,  Sept.  29,  1744. 
Rev'd  Sir, — The  several  Churches  belonging  to  my 
Cure  (as  those  of  Jamaica,  Newtown  &  Flushing)  are  in 
a  very  peaceable  and  growing  state,  whilst  other  separate 
Assemblies  in  this  Parish  are  in  the  utmost  confusion*  & 
this  I  can  write  with  a  great  deal  of  truth  that  Independency 
which  has  been  triumphant  in  this  town  for  the  40  years 
last  past  is  now  in  the  providence  of  God  in  a  very  faint 
&  declining  condition  which  gives  us  hopes  that  better 
Principles  than  such  as  issue  out  thence  will  generally 
prevail  amongst  us  &  that  we  shall  be  better  united  than 

heretofore  Rev'd  Sir  &q  &c 

Thos  Colgai?-. 
The  Rev. 

DAVID   BOSTWICK 

was  ordained  here  October  9th,  1745,  on  which  occasion 
President  Burr  preached  from  2  Tim.  ii.  15 :  Study 
to  show  thyself  ajjyproved  of  God.  The  sermon  was 
published.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Pemberton,  then  minister 
of  Xew  York,  delivered  the  charges,  or  *'an  exhorta- 
tion," as  it  w^as  called,  to  the  minister  and  people. 

Mr.  Bostwick  was  a  native  of  New  Milford,  Ct.,  born 
January  8th,  1721,  and  is  said  to  have  been  of  Scotch 
descent.  He  was  educated  at  New  Haven,  and  after 
instructing  an  academy  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  for  a  short 
time,  became  minister  here,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
four.  "  He  continued  here  ten  years,  enjoying  the 
respect  and  affection  not  only  of  his  own  people,  but 
also  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry."  He  married 
Miss  Hinman  of  Woodbury,  Ct. 

*  He  refers  to  dissensions  in  the  Dutch  Churches  of  Newtown  and  Ja- 
maica in  regard  to  Rev.  J.  H.  Goetschins. 


166  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

In  175^1:  lie  was  appointed  by  the  Synod  of  ]S"ew 
York,  with  others,  to  visit  the  destitute  parts  of  Vir- 
ginia and  li^orth  Carolina  to  perforin  missionary 
labour.  His  pulpit  was  ordered  to  be  supplied, 
during  his  absence,  by  Messrs.  Gumming,  Horton, 
Dagget  and  Park. 

At  a  general  town  meeting,  held  on  the  21st  of 
April,  1753,  the  town,  by  a  unanimous  vote,  three  per- 
sons only  dissenting,  viz.,  Samuel  Clowes,  Jr.,  Robert 
Denton  and  Joseph  Oldfield,  gave  the  meadow  and  up- 
land which  in  1676  had  been  "  set  apart  for  the  use  of 
a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination,"  to  the 
elders  and  deacons  of  that  congregation,  to  be  sold,  to 
have  and  to  hold  the  money  arising  from  the  sale — the 
interest  to  be  devoted  to  the  support  of  a  Presbyterian 
minister  forever.  Daniel  Smith,  Elias  Baylis,  Increase 
Carpenter  and  Nehemiah  Smith,  are  the  persons  named 
as  the  elders  and  deacons  at  that  time. 

Queens  County  ss :  you  are  hereby  required  to  give 
warning  to  all  the  freeholders  of  the  town  of  Jamaica  to 
meet  at  the  County  Hall  of  the  said  County  in  Jamaica 
aforesaid  on  Saturday  the  21st  instant  at  two  of  the  clock 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  to  consult  upon  some  prop- 
er meathods  for  disposing  of  the  Parsonage  outlands  & 
meadows,  for  the  support  of  the  ministry :  agreeable  to 
the  true  intent  &  meaning  of  a  voate  of  the  said  town 
made  at  a  towne  meeting  of  the  said  town  on  the  ninth 
day  of  June  anno  Dom  1676:  &  hereof  you  are  not  to 
fail  Given  under  our  hands  &  seals  this  16th  day  of  april 
anno  1753.  Samll  Smith 


T  T-k  I   Justices 

James  JJentox 

To  the  Constable  of  Jamaica    These  Records  iv.  p.  6. 


PRESBYTEKIAN    CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  167 

At  a  general  town  meeting  held  at  the  County  Hall  in 
Jamaica  on  Saturday  the  21st  day  of  april  anno  Domini 
1753 

Present  Sam'l  Smith  "] 

Jas  Denton        Esqs  V  Justisses 
Abm  Polhemus  J 

It  was  voted  by  the  majority  of  the  freeholders  then  & 
there  assembled  that  whereas  at  a  town  meeting  on  the  9th 
of  June  1676  it  was  voted  and  concluded  that  there  should 
be  forty  acres  of  meadow  designed  &  set  apart  for  a  Parson- 
age Lott  in  the  east  neck  joining  to  the  lotts  of  meadow 
layd  out  with  upland  projoortionable  to  other  lotts  laid  out  in 
the  town  to  continue  at  the  dispose  of  the  town  to  a  minister 
when  they  shall  have  occasion  to  make  use  of  it  &  whereas 
the  town  hath  continued  the  said  meadows  &  upland  set 
apart  therewith  for  the  use  of  a  minister  of  y  Presby- 
terian denomination  since  that  time  &  now  find  that  the 
land  is  not  of  so  much  use  for  the  support  of  the  present 
minister  who  is  the  Reverend  Mr.  David  Bostwick  nor 
likely  to  be  of  such  use  to  his  successors  in  the  ministry 
of  the  said  town  as  if  the  same  was  sold  and  disposed  of 
&  the  money  arising  by  the  sale  thereof  put  out  to  intrest ; 
it  is  now  therefore  voted  &  concluded  by  the  town  at  their 
meeting  on  this  21st  day  of  april  1753  that  the  said 
meadow  &  lands  set  apart  therewith  be  given  and  granted 
by  the  town,  &  they  are  hereby  accordingly  given  & 
granted  to  Daniel  Smith  Elias  Bayles  Increas  Carpenter 
&  Nehemiah  Smith  the  present  elders  &  deacons  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  &  congregation  in  the  towne  To  have 
<&  to  hold  the  same  to  them  their  heirs  &  assigns  for  ever 
in  trust  nevertheless  that  the  said  Daniel  Smith  Elias 
Bayles  Increas  Carpenter  &  Nehemiah  Smith  or  the  major 
part  of  them  &  the  survivors  of  them  or  the  major  part 


16S  HISTORY    OF   THE 

of  such  survivors  &  the  last  survivor  of  them  do  grant 
bargain  &  sell  the  }3remises  in  fee  simple  to  the  best  ad- 
vantage that  they  can  &  that  they  &  the  major  part  of 
them  &  the  survivors  and  major  part  of  such  survivors  & 
survivor  of  them  do  put  out  the  money  arising  by  the  sale 
of  the  premises  to  interest  upon  land  security  for  y*  use  & 
benefit  of  the  said  town  in  their  maintenance  &  support 
of  a  Presbyterian  minister  for  the  use  of  the  said  town  & 
it  is  hereby  further  voted  &  concluded  that  so  often  as 
new  securities  from  time  to  time  shall  be  taken  that  the 
same  be  to  the  elders  of  the  said  Presbyterian  church  & 
congregation  in  said  town  of  Jamaica  for  the  time  being 
&  that  the  interest  of  the  said  money  arising  from  the  said 
sale  be  for  the  maintenance  &  use  of  such  Presbyterian 
minister  as  shall  be  chosen  by  the  said  town  for  ever. 

The  above  vote  clear  only  Sam'l  Clows  Jr.  Robert 
Denton  &  Josej^h  Oldfield  protest  against  the  above  vote. 

Enterd  p  SaniU  Smith  elk 

Records  IV.  p.  5. 

In  1755,  Mr.  Bostwick  was  invited  to  take  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the 
city  of  ^ew  York.  The  Presbytery  of  New  York 
referred  the  call  to  the  Synod,  which  body  appointed 
Messrs.  Grilbert  Tennent,  Prime,  William  Tennent, 
Burr,  Treat,  Davenport,  John  Smith  of  Rye.  McCrea, 
Beatty,  Hunter,  Allen,  Read,  Buel,  Sacket,  Brown, 
Lewis  and  Rodgers,  to  be  their  committee,  to  meet  at 
Jamaica  on  the  29th  of  October,  1755,  "  to  determine 
that  aftair,  and  any  other  matters  relative  to  it,  that 
may  come  before  them." 

At  the  meeting  of  Synod  in  1756,  "  the  committee 
appointed  to  meet  at  Jamaica  on  the  affair  of  Mr. 


PEESBYTEKIAN    CHUKCH,  JAMAICA.  169 

Bostwick's  removal,  laid  the  minutes  of  their  proceed- 
ing before  the  Synod,  which  were  approved,  and  are 
as  follows : 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  the  Synod  of 
New  York  at  Jamaica,  October  29,  1755,  according  to 
appointment;  Present,  Messrs.  President  Burr,  Samuel 
Sacket,  Samuel  Buel,  Israel  Read,  James  Brown,  Tim- 
othy Allen. 

^''Postjoreces,  sederunt  qui  sujpra. 

''  The  committee  was  opened  by  a  sermon  preached 
by  Mr.  Buel,  from  Job  xiv.  (xv?)  8. 

"  Mr.  Burr  chosen  moderator,  Mr.  Allen,  clerk. 

"The  affair  of  Mr.  Bostwick's  removal  came  under 
consideration.  The  committee  having  heard  all  the 
several  parties  concerned  in  that  affair  liad  to  offer, 
after  much  deliberation,  adjourned  the  farther  con- 
sideration of  it  till  to-morrow,  half  an  hour  past  eight  in 
the  morning,  to  which  time  the  committee  is  adjourned. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 

"  Z^th  day.  The  committee  met  according  to  adjourn- 
ment.    Uhi  jpost  jpreces  sederunt. 

"The  committee  proceeded  to  a  long  deliberation 
on  the  affair  of  Mr.  Bostwick's  removal. 

^^Eodem  die,  (same  day,)  seven  of  the  dock,  P.  M. 

"  Messrs.  Gilbert  Tennent,  William  Tennent,  James 
McCrea,  Charles  Beatty,  Andrew  Hunter,  and  John 
Rogers,  came,  being  prevented  attending  the  preceding 
sederunts  (sessions)  by  the  tempestuousness  of  the 
weather. 

"  The  affair  of  Mr.  Bostwick's  removal  from  Jamaica 


170  HISTOIiY    OF    TIIE 

to  New  York,  reconsidered ;  and  after  much  consulta- 
tion, concluded  to  defer  the  further  consideration  of  it 
till  to-morrow  morning,  at  eight  of  the  clock,  to  which 
time  the  committee  is  adjourned.  Concluded  with 
prayer. 

"31.925  day.  The  committee  met  accor^ding  to  adjourn- 
ment.     Uhi  post  preces  sederunt. 

"The  affair  of  Mr.  Bostwick's  removal,  &c.,  reas- 
sumed. 

"The  committee  not  having  sufficient  light  to  coino 
to  a  full  determination  of  that  affair  at  this  time,  con- 
clude that  it  be  referred  to  the  standina^  commission  of 
the  Synod  of  New  York,  to  be  convened  by  the  mod- 
erator, at  Princeton,  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  April 
next,  at  eleven  of  the  clock,  a.  m.  ;  and  that  Mr.  Bost- 
w^ick  be  appointed  to  supply  at  New  York,  the  whole 
months  of  December  and  January,  and  tlie  first  two 
Sabbaths  of  February  next;  and  that  the  Pi'esbytery  of 
New  York  provide  a  constant  supply  for  Jamaica, 
durino;  Mr.  Bostwick's  absence.  And  this  committee 
recommends  it  to  the  people  of  Jamaica  to  make  the 
necessary  winter  provisions  for  Mr.  Bostwick's  family 
as  usual.     Concluded  with  prayer." 

"The  commission  of  the  Synod  made  report  to  the 
Synod,  that  they  met  on  the  affair  of  Mr.  Bostwick's 
removal  referred  unto  them  by  the  committee.  The 
minutes  of  their  proceedings  are  as  follows : 

"  The  commission  of  the  Synod  of  New  York,  regu- 
larly called,  met  at 

'■^Princeton,  April  14:th,  1756. 

^^ Present:  Messrs.  the  Moderator,  Aaron  Burr,  John 


PEESBYTEEIAN    CHUKCH,  JA^IAICA.  171 


Pierson,  William  Tennent,  Kicbard  Treat,  James  Dav- 
enport, John  Rogers,  Azariali  Horton. 

'' Absent:  Messrs.  Elilm  Spencer,  David  Bostwick, 
Gilbert  Tennent,  Charles  Tennent,  Ebenezer  Prime, 
James  Brown,  Samuel  Finley. 

"  Corresjpondents :  Messrs.  Timothy  Jones,  Timothy 
Allen,  Charles  McKnight,  John  Brainerd,  Charles 
Beatty,  David  Lawrence,  Caleb  Smith. 

'^Post  preces,  sederunt. 

"  Mr.  Caleb  Smith  was  chosen  clerk. 

"The  commission  w^as  opened  by  a  sermon,  preached 
by  the  moderator,  from  John  xviii.  36. 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Johannes  Light,  a  minister  of  the 
Reformed  Dutch  Church,  was  desired  to  sit  as  a  cor- 
respondent. 

"  The  affair  of  Mr.  Bostwick's  removal  from  Jamaica 
to  New  York,  was  brought  before  the  commission,  by 
a  letter  from  the  elders  and  deacons  of  the  Presbyterian 
congregation  in  'New  York,  representing  their  con- 
tinued unanimity  for  Mr.  Bostwick,  and  that  the  rea- 
sons for  his  removal  to  them  are  very  much  strength- 
ened and  increased  by  his  labours  among  them  the  last 
winter,  which  appeared  more  fully  by  their  commis- 
sioners, who  were  sent  for  that  purpose.  The  mod- 
erator also  reported  that  he  had  accidentally  left  at 
home,  a  letter  he  had  received  from  Mr.  Bostw^ick, 
representing  his  low  state  of  health,  and  fear  that  he 
could  not  attend  the  commission,  and  in  case  he  did 
not,  that  he  would  acquiesce  in  their  judgment,  about 
his  removal  to  New  York. 

"The  commission  having  read  the  papers  containing 
a  representation  of  the  state  of  the  Presbyterian  con- 


172  HISTORY    OF   THE 

gregation  at  Jamaica,  and  tlieir  reasons  against  Mr. 
Bostwick's  removal :  after  mnch  deliberate  considera- 
tion of  the  important  affair,  and  earnest  prayer  to  God 
for  direction  in  it,  adjourned  the  further  consideration 
of  it  till  to-morrow  morning  at  eight  of  the  clock. 
Concluded  with  prayer." 

"  loth  day.  At  eight  of  the  cloc\  A.  M.^  the  coin- 
mission  met.     Post  ^reces^  sederunt  qui  sicpra. 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  David  Cowel  was  desired  to  sit  as  a 
correspondent. 

"The  affair  of  Mr.  Bostwick's  removal  reassumed. 
The  commission  having  weighed  the  reasons  for  and 
against  it  with  deep  concern,  and  great  deliberation, 
considering  the  peculiar  circumstances  and  great  im- 
portance of  the  Xew  York  congregation,  how  long  they 
have  been  destitute;  how  many  fruitless  attempts  have 
been  made  to  re-settle  the  Gospel  among  them  ;  the  lit- 
tle hopes  of  their  being  so  well  united  in  any  other 
person ;  and  especially  the  desirable  prospect  that  ap- 
pears of  Mr.  Bostwick's  great  usefulness  in  that  place ; 
cannot  but  judge  it  to  be  his  duty  to  remove;  and  his 
pastoral  relation  to  the  church  and  congregration  at 
Jamaica  is  dissolved  for  that  purpose.  But  as  the  com- 
mission have  a  tender  concern  for  the  congregation  of 
Jamaica,  a  great  sense  of  their  importance  and  how 
their  case  calls  for  special  regard,  they  desire  the  mod- 
erator, in  his  journey  to  Boston,  to  look  out  for  a  can- 
didate to  be  sent  among  them,  and  appoint  the  said 
moderator  to  supply  them  one  Sabbath  on  his  return  ; 
and  Messrs;  Simon  Horton,  Ebenezer  Prime,  and  Ben- 
jamin Talmage,  are  appointed  to  supply  at  Jamaica  the 


PKE6BYTERIAN   CHUKCH,  JAMAICA.  173 

three  Sabbaths  immediately  succeeding  Mr.  Bostwick's 
departure,  of  which  Mr.  Bostwick  is  appointed  to  give 
them  notice.  And  the  Presbyteries  of  Kew  York  and 
Suffolk  are  ordered  to  take  special  care  that  they  be 
constantly  supplied  till  next  Synod.  The  commission 
also  considering  that  the  congregation  of  Jamaica  will 
necessarily  he  put  to  charge  in  obtaining  a  re-settlement 
of  the  Gospel  ministry^  do  earnestly  recommend  to  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  New  York^  to  exercise  a  Christ- 
ian generosity  tovKird  the  people  of  Jamaica^  that  they 
may  be  better  enabled  to  settle  another  minister^ 

This  account  of  Mr.  Bostwick's  removal  is  instruct- 
ive, as  it  illustrates  the  importance  which  was  attached, 
by  the  fathers  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  to  the  pas- 
toral relation.  The  same  caution  was  evinced  w^hen 
Mr.  Cross  was  removed  to  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Bostwick  remained  pastor  of  the  old  Wall- 
street  Church  for  about  seven  years.  He  died  after  a 
few  days'  illness,  IsTovember  12th,  1763,  in  the  41th  year 
of  his  age."^  Smith,  in  his  History  of  New  York  (see 
Appendix,  p.  307),  gives  this  portrait  of  Mr.  Bostwick : 
"He  is  a  gentleman  of  a  mild,  catholic  disposition  ;  and 
being  a  man  of  piety,  prudence  and  zeal,  confines  him- 
self entirely  to  the  proper  business  of  his  function.  In 
the  art  of  preaching  he  is  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
clergymen  in  these  parts.     His  discourses  are  methodi- 

*  In  the  cemetery  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  there  is  a  monument  to  his  widow 
with  this  epitaph : 

"In  memory  of  Mrs.  Mary  Bostwick,  relict  of  the  Rev.  David  Bostwick, 
late  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  New  York,  who  departed  this 
life  22  September  1778,  aged  57  years." 

They  had  ten  children.  One  son  Andrew  was  a  colonel  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary Army.  One  of  his  daughters  married  General  McDougall,  and 
another  General  Roberdeau,  of  the  Continental  Congress. 


17^  HISTORY    OF    THE 

cal,  sound,  and  patlietick,  in  seJitimenf,  and  in  point  of 
diction  singularly  ornamented.  He  delivers  himself 
without  notes,  and  yet  with  great  ease  and  fluency  of 
expression  ;  and  performs  every  part  of  divine  worship 
with  a  striking:  solemnitv." 

A  treatise  from  his  pen,  entitled  "A  Fair  and  Ra- 
tional Yindication  of  the  Right  of  Infants  to  the  Ordi- 
nance of  Baptism"  was  published  in  1T6J:,  and  reprint- 
ed in  London  the  following  year.  This  work  was 
republished  in  Kew  York  in  1837.  It  has  a  brief  me- 
moir of  the  author  prefixed,  from  which  the  following 
passages  are  taken : 

"He  was  remarkably  supported  under  his  last  ill- 
ness, and  died  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  Gospel. 

"  As  a  preacher  Mr.  Bostwick  was  uncommonly 
popular.  His  gifts  and  qualifications  for  the  pulpit 
Avere  of  a  high  order.  Ilis  appearance  and  deport- 
ment were  peculiarly  venerable;  possessing  a  clear 
understanding,  a  warm  heart,  a  quick  apprehension,  a 
lively  imagination,  a  solid  judgment  and  a  strong  voice; 
he  spoke  in  a  distinct,  deliberate,  and  impressive  man- 
ner, and  with  a  commanding  eloquence. 

"  He  dealt  faithfully  with  his  hearers — declaring  to 
them  the  whole  counsel  of  God — showing  them  their 
danger  and  their  remedy;  speaking  with  the  solemnity 
becoming  the  importance  of  the  subject,  and  in  lan- 
guage pure  and  elegant,  yet  plain  and  affectionate : 
never  below  the  dignity  of  the  pulpit,  nor  above  the 
capacity  of  any  in  his  auditory." 

Mr.  Bostwick  was  the  author  of  a  memoir  of  Pres. 
Davies,  prefixed  to  his  sermon  on  the  death  of 
George  II. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHIJECH,  JAMAICA.  175 

After  liis  removal  from  Jamaica,  the  Rev.  Simon 
Horton,  of  IN'ewtown  was  called  to  be  the  minister  of 
the  place,  as  appears  from  the  following  passage  in 
r)r.  Berrian's  late  history  of  Trinity  Church,  IN'ew 
York  : 

"In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1756,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Barclay  acquainted  the  Society  that  the  Church  had  suf- 
fered a  great  loss,  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Colgan,  formerly  a 
catechist  in  this  parish,  but,  for  many  years,  a  laborious 
and  worthy  minister  at  Jamaica  Town  in  L.  I. ;  and  that 
the  churches  under  his  care  were  very  apprehensive  of 
great  difficulties  in  obtaining  a  Clergyman  of  the  Church 
of  England  to  succeed  him,  because  the  dissenters  Avere  a 
majority  in  the  vestry  of  that  parish.  It  too  soon  appeared 
that  their  apprehensions  were  not  without  good  reason, 
for  the  dissenters  prevailed  by  their  majority  in  the  vestry 
to  present  one  Simon  Horton,  a  dissenting  teacher,  to  Sir 
Charles  Hardy,  the  Governor,  for  induction  into  the  Parish, 
but  the  Governor  would  not  admit  him  into  that  cure. 
After  more  than  six  months  his  excellency  was  pleased 
to  collate  to  the  cure  of  the  Church,  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Seabury,  Jr."— P.  118. 

Mr.  Bostwick  was  succeeded  in  this  place  by  the 
Rev. 

ELIHU   SPENCER,  D.  D. 

He  was  a  descendant  of  Jared  Spencer,  one  of  five 
brothers,  who  emigrated  from  England  to  Massachu- 
setts early  in  the  seventeenth  century.  His  parents 
were  Isaac  and  Mary  Spencer,  and  he  was  born  at  East 
Haddam,  Conn.,  February  12th,  1721.  He  entered 
Yale  College  in  171:2,  and  was  graduated  in  1746.  He 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  Boston, 


176  HISTORY    OF   THE 

September,  1748,  with  a  special  view  to  a  mission 
among  the  Indians.  "A  better  testimony  to  the  piety 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Spencer  cannot  be  offered  than  by 
statuig  that  lie  was  particularly  recommended  to  the 
commissioners  at  Boston,  by  David  Brainerd,  who  was 
one  of  the  best  of  men,  as  a  suitable  character  for  the 
missionary  scfi'vice  among  the  aborigines."^  He  was 
also  recommended  by  Jonathan  Edwards.  He  entered 
on  the  study  of  the  languages  of  the  Indian  tribes,  and 
could  speak  several  of  them  witli  great  ease  and 
fluency.f 

But  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Elizabethtown,  ]N^.  J* 
becoming  vacant  by  the  death  of  that  great  and 
good  man,  President  Dickinson,  the  preaching  of  Mr. 
Spencer  proved  so  acceptable  to  that  congregation, 
that  a  call  was  presented  him  to  become  their  pastor. 
The  leadings  of  Providence  were  such  tliat  lie  felt  it 
his  duty  to  accept,  and  was  installed  there  February 
7th,  1750.  Soon  after,  he  married  Joanna,  daughter  of 
John  Eaton,  Esq.,  of  Shrewsbury.  In  1753,  he  was  in- 
vited by  Gov.  Belcher  to  become  Chaplain  of  the  New 
Jersey  Regiment,  engaged  in  the  French  and  Indian 
war,  which  he  does  not  appear  to  have  accepted.  In 
1752  he  was  appointed  a  Trustee  of  the  College  of  New 
Jersey,  and  held  this  office  as  long  as  he  lived. 

"In  1756,"  says  Dr.  Miller,  '-he  left  Elizabethtown, 
and  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  at  Jamaica,  L.  I."  He  labored  here 
either  as  pastor,  or  stated  supply,  from  May  2 2d,  1758> 
to  May,  1760.  He  was  then  appointed  by  Gov.  De 
Lancey,  of  New  York,  a  chaplain  to  the  New  York 

*  Alden's  Epitaphs,  p.  194:.  +  Dr.  Miller. 


PRESBYTERIAK   CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  177 

forces,  about  to  march  to  the  French  and  Indian  war, 
which  was  still  raging.  Tradition  says  that  the  con- 
gregation consented  to  part  with  him  thinking  they 
could  entrust  their  children,  who  had  enlisted  in  the 
army,  to  his  care.  The  following  is  found  in  the 
printed  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Kew  York,  p.  283  • 
"  In  case  Mr.  Spencer  shall  go  out  as  chaplain  with  the 
Kew  York  forces,  the  Synod  appoints  Mr.  Simon  Hor- 
ton  to  supply  Jamaica  three  sabbaths,  and  Mr.  John 
Smith  two  sabbaths,  and  that  the  Presbytery  of  Suf- 
folk supply  seven-eighths  of  the  remaining  time  of  his 
absence."  Whilst  at  Jamaica  he  prepared  for  the 
press  his  Letter  to  President  Styles  on  "  The  Dissent 
ing  Interest  in  the  Middle  Colonies  of  America,"  whicli 
attracted  no  small  share  of  public  attention.  He  was 
likewise  author  of  a  pamphlet  on  the  origin  and  growth 
of  Episcopacy. 

On  his  return  from  the  army  he  laboured  in  the  con- 
gregations of  Shrewsbury,  Middletown  Point,  and  Am- 
boy;  and  in  176^,  was  sent  by  the  Sjmod  of  Kew  York 
and  Philadelphia,  in  company  witli  J)v.  M'Whorter,  of 
Kewark,  to  the  Southern  ChurcheSj  especially  in  JS^orth 
Carolina,  on  an  important  service. 

After  Dr.  Rodgers'  removal  from  St.  George^s,  Dela- 
ware, to  the  city  of  New  York,  he  succeeded  him  in 
that  pastoral  charge,  where  he  remained  five  years. 
He  removed  to  Trenton,  N.  J.,  in  1770,  and  continued 
to  be  the  pastor  of  that  church  until  December,  1781:, 
wdien  he  died.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of 
prompt,  popular,  excellent  talents ;  of  higlily  respect- 
able literary  character ;  one  of  the  most  ready  exteni' 

pore  preachers  of  his  day,  and  eminent  for  his  zeal  and 

8* 


178  HISTORY   OF  THE 

usefulness.  "Whenever,  at  the  meeting  of  any  judi- 
catory, the  ministers  were  at  a  Joss  about  a  preacher, 
and  he  appeared,  the  remark  was — Here  comes  ready- 
money  Spencer;  now  we  shall  have  a  sermon." 
The  following  is  the  inscription  on  his  gravestone  : 
"  Beneath  this  stone  lies  the  body  of  the  Eev.  Elihu 
Spencer,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Trenton  and  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  College  of  Kew 
Jersey  :  who  departed  this  life  on  the  27th  of  Decem- 
ber, 178J:,  in  the  6J:tli  year  of  liis  age.  Possessed  of 
line  genius,  ot*  great  vivacity,  of  eminent,  active  piety, 
his  merits  as  a  minister  and  a  man  stand  above  the 
reach  of  flattery.  Having  long  edified  the  Church  by 
his  talents  and  example,  and  finished  liis  course  with 
joy,  he  fell  asleep  full  of  faith,  and  waiting  for  the  hope 
of  all  saints." 

Dr.  Spencer  left  a  numerous  family.  Only  one  son, 
John  Spencer,  Esrp,  a  lawyer,  reached  adult  age.  His 
third  daughter,  Margaret,  married  Jonathan  Dickinson 
Sergeant,  Esq.,  a  distinguished  member  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Bar,  and  member  of  Congress.  The  Hon.  John 
Sergeant,  and  the  Hon.  Thomas  Sergeant,  eminent  ju- 
rists, and  the  late  Mrs.  Sarah  Miller,  of  Prir.ceton,  wife 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  were  their  children. "^^     The  Eev. 

BEXOXI  BRADXER 

preached  here,  after  Dr.  Spencer,  from  1760  to  1761. 
He  was  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Bradner,  the  first  min- 
ister of  Goshen,  in  this  State,  and  was  born  in  1734. 
He  graduated  at  Nassau  Hall  in  1755.  It  is  not 
certain  whether  he  was  installed  as  pastor,  or  preached 

*  Dr.  Miller,  in  Sprague's  Annals,  pp.  165-169. 


PRESBYTERTAK   CHUECH,  JAI^IAICA.  179 

here  merely  as  a  candidate  :  tradition  says  tliat  he  was 
installed.  He  married,  in  Jamaica,  Miss  Eebecca  Brid- 
ges. He  is  said  to  have  been  troubled  with  shortness 
of  breath,  and  to  have  been  of  a  consumptive  habit. 
He  left  about  June  22,  1761,  on  account  of  a  division 
in  the  congregation,  although  the  greater  part  are  said 
to  have  liked  him.  He  is  never  mentioned  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Synod  ;  but  his  name  appears  as  a  corresponding 
member,  in  1761.  Mr.  Braclner  became  minister  of 
Blooming  Grove  Church,  in  Orange  Co.,  in  June,  1786. 
In  1802,  he  ceased  from  the  labors  of  the  pulpit.  He 
died  after  a  long  and  distressing  illness,  January  29th, 
1801,  in  the  seventy-lirst  year  of  his  age.     The  Rev. 

WILLIAM  MILLS, 

a  native  of  Smith  town,  on  this  Island,  Was  the  next 
pastor.  His  father's  name  was  Isaac,  who  with  two 
brothers  settled  at  Mills'  Pond.  He  was  born 
March  13th,  1739,  was  a  graduate  of  Nassau  Hall  in 
1756,  studied  theology  at  Neshaminy,  was  licensed  by 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  in  March,  1760,  was 
ordained  at  Flemington,  K  J.,  April  21st,  1762,  and 
was  installed  here  soon  after,  having  begun  to  preach 
as  a  candidate  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  July,  1761.  He 
married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  John  Reading,  Esq.,  act- 
ing Governor  of  New  Jersey  in  1747,  and  again  in  1757. 
At  the  time  of  his  settlement  here,  there  were  but 
twelve  persons,  members  in  full  communion  of  the 
church.  There  were  no  records  to  be  found  belouijino: 
to  the  church.  In  a  book  of  minutes  which  he  beffan 
to  keep  August  30th,  1767,  he  says,  "When  I  settled 
in  tliis  place,  which  was  in  the  year  1762,  I  found  no 


180  HISTORY   OF   THE 

records  belonging  to  the  cliurcb,  no,  not  so  mucli  as  a 
Register  of  the  names  of  such  as  were  in  fall  commun- 
ion.    And  as  the  congregation  were  unacquainted  with 
the  business  of  church  sessions,  the  business  of  the 
church  which  we  had  to  transact  was  done  without 
strictly  attending   to   the   forms   of    Presbyterianism. 
Another  reason  why  no  minutes  have  been  kept  of  our 
proceedings  is,  that  we  have  been  happy  enough  to 
have  Utile  or  none  of  that  business  to  do  which  church 
sessions  are  very  generally  employed  about,  in  their 
meetings.     There  have,  it  is  true,  been  a  very  consider- 
able number  added  to  the  church  in  this  time,  who  have 
ordinarily  been  examined  by  the  cliurch  sessions,  or  in 
their  presence,  whose  names  are  preserved  in  a  Regis- 
ter  kept  for   that  purpose.      But  notwithstanding  all 
this,  I  wish,  I  heartily  wish,  that  minutes  had  been 
kept   both   before,  and   since   my  settlement   in    this 
church,    of  its   proceedings."      The    names   of  ruling 
elders  given  are  Joseph  Skidraore,  Esq.,  Daniel  Baylis, 
Elias  Baylis,  and  Increase  Carpenter.     At  the  meeting 
of;  the  session,  June  21,  1770,  Nicholas   Smith  and 
Samuel  Denton,  are  stated  to  be  present  as  Elders. 

Mr.  Mills  appears  to  have  been  highly  esteemed  by 
his  people  as  an  exemplary  Christian,  and  faithful  min- 
ister of  the  Gospel.  During  his  ministry  there  occur- 
red a  revival  of  religion,  probably  in  1761,  by  which  a 
considerable  number  were  added  to  the  Church.  The 
last  of  the  fruits  of  that  gracious  work,  Mrs.  Elizdeath 
Everitt,  who  was  born  May  4,  171:5,  left  this  world  in 
18-10,  at  the  advanced  age  of  95,  liaving  been  a  com- 
municant nearly  75  years.  It  appears  to  have  com- 
menced at  a  time  when  Mr.  Mills  was  absent  from 


PEESBYTERIAK   CHtTRCH,  JAMAICA.  181 

lioine,  and  tlie  people  were  assembled  on  the  Lord's 
day  to  attend  upon  such  services  as  the  Elders  are  in 
tlie  liabit  of  conducting  in  tlie  absence  of  the  minister. 
Among  other  things,  a  letter  was  read  from  Dr.  Bael, 
the  minister  at  Easthampton,  giving  an  account  of  a 
remarkable  revival  among  his  people.  In  the  narrative 
of  this  revival,  which  Dr.  Buel  published,  he  says, 
"  Some  past  accounts  of  this  work  have  been  owned  of 
God;  which  gives  ground  to  hope  that  a  more  par- 
ticular account  may  have  a  happy  effect,  by  the  divine 
blessing,  for  the  revival  of  religion  in  other  places." 
The  effect,  when  his  letter  was  read  at  Jamaica,  w*a3 
surprising.  The  Spirit  of  God  seemed  at  once  to  fill 
the  place  where  they  were  sitting,  the  whole  congrega- 
tion was  melted  to  tenderness.  An  aged  member  of 
the  church,  w^ho  deceased  several  years  ago,  informed 
the  waiter,  that  she  well  remembered,  though  she  was 
but  a  small  child  at  the  time,  tlie  very  solemn  appear- 
ance of  the  family,  and  their  serious  conversation,  on 
their  return  from  the  house  of  God.  On  Mr.  Mills's 
arrival,  he  found  a  gracious  work  had  commenced ; 
and,  subsequently,  a  goodly  number  were  received 
into  the  communion  of  the  church  as  the  fruit  of  it. 
It  was  during  the  summer  of  1761,  that  Mr.  White- 
field  visited  Jamaica,  the  second  time,  when  such 
crowds  fiocked  to  hear  him  that  he  preached  in  the 
open  air,  standing,  it  is  said,  under  an  apple  tree,  not 
far  from  the  spot  on  which  Union  Hall.  Academy  is 
now  located.  In  a  letter  written  at  this  time,  he  says : 
"At  present  my  health  is  better  than  usual,  and  as  yet 
I  have  felt  no  inconvenience  from  the  summer's  heat. 
I  have  preached  twice  lately  in  the  fields,  and  we  sat 


182  HISTORY   OF   THE 

under  the  blessed  Redeemer's  sliadow  with  great  de- 
light. My  late  excursions  upon  Long  Island,  I  trust, 
have  been  blessed.  It  would  surprise  you  to  see  above 
one  hundred  carriages  at  every  sermon  in  the  new 
world."  There  are  still  remaining  a  few  who  remem- 
ber the  interest  and  gratitude  with  which  they  often 
heard  their  pious  parents  refer  to  this  season  of  lieav^- 
enly  refreshing. 

One  of  the  methods  which  Mr.  Mills  adopted  for 
doing  good  was  the  writing  and  distribution  of  small 
tracts.  Bj  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Thomas  Baylis,  an 
elder  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  Brooklyn, 
and  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  former  elders  at  Ja- 
maica, I  am  enabled  to  present  one  of  these  tracts  dis- 
tributed by  Mr.  Mills,  and  preserved  in  Mr.  B.'s  family. 

The  Happy  Mail's  Pedigree. 

The  Happy  Max,  was  born  in  the  City  of  Regeneration 
— in  the  parish  of  Repentance  unto  Life  :  he  was  educated 
at  the  School  of  Obedience,  and  lives  now  in  Perseverance  : 
he  works  at  the  trade  of  Diligence,  notwithstanding  he  has 
a  large  estate  in  the  county  of  Christian  Contentment ;  and 
many  times  does  jobs  of  Self-Denial ;  he  wears  the  plain 
garment  of  Humility,  and  has  a  better  suit  to  put  on  when 
he  goes  to  Court,  called  the  Robe  of  Christ's  Rigliteous- 
ness ;  he  often  walks  in  the  valley  of  Self- Abasement,  and 
sometimes  climbs  the  mountain  of  Spiritual-Mindedness  ; 
he  breakfasts  every  morning  upon  Spiritual  Prayer,  and 
sups  every  evening  on  the  same ;  he  has  Meat  to  eat  that 
the  world  knows  not  of,  and  his  Drink  is  the  sincere  Milk  of 
the  Word : — Thus,  happy  he  lives,  and  happy  he  dies. 
Happy  is  he  who  has  Gospel  Submission  in  his  will — due 
order  in  his  affection — sound  peace  in  his  conscience — 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  183 

Sanctifying  Grace  in  his  soul — real  Divinity  in  his  breast 
— true  Humility  in  his  heart — the  Redeemer's  yoke  on  his 
neck — a  vain  world  under  his  feet — and  a  crown  of  Glory 
over  his  head.  Happy  is  the  life  of  such  an  one : — In  or- 
der to  attain  which — Pray  frequently — Believe  firmly — 
wait  patiently — work  abundantly — ^live  Holily — die  daily 
— watch  your  hearts — guide  your  senses — redeem  your 
time — love  Christ — and  long  for  Glory. 

The  following  is  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Sea- 
biiiy  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Society  for  the  Propa- 
gation of  Religion  in  Foreign  Parts,  referring  to  Mr. 
Whitefield's  visit  to  Jamaica  : 

Jamaica,  October  6th,  1764. 
Rev'd  Sir, — Since  my  last  letter  to  the  Honored  So- 
ciety we  have  had  a  long  visit  from  Mr.  Whitefield  in  this 
Colony,  where  he  has  preached  frequently,  especially  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  and  in  this  Island ;  and  I  am  sorry 
to  say  I  think  he  has  had  more  influence  than  formerly^ 
and  I  fear  has  done  a  great  deal  of  mischief.  His  tenets 
and  method  of  preaching  have  been  adopted  by  many  of 
the  Dissenting  Teachers,  and  this  town  in  particular  has  a 
continual^  I  had  almost  said,  a  daily  succession  of  Strolling 
Preachers  and  Exhorters,  &c. 

In  1767,  Mr.  Mills  received  an  urgent  call  to  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  Philadelphia,  but  the 
Presbytery  decided  against  it.  An  appeal  was  taken 
by  the  commissioners  to  the  Sjmod,  which  was  an- 
swered by  a  long  remonstrance  from  the  congregation 
of  Jamaica,  an  address  from  the  Presbytery,  and  a  let- 
ter from  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Prime,  of  Huntington. 
Mr.  Mills  also  declared  that  he  esteemed  it  his  duty  to 
remain  in  Jamaica.     After  a  full  hearing  of  the  case, 


184  HISTORY   OF  THE 

the  Synod  confirmed  the  judgment  of  the  Presbj^tery, 
that  it  would  not  be  for  the  edification  of  the  Church 
to  remove  him. 

This  excellent  minister  died  in  the  36th  year  of  his 
age.  He  had  repaired  to  New  York  for  medical  aid, 
being  aflfected  with  a  chronic  disease,  and  there  he 
ended  his  days,  March  18th,  1774.  His  remains  were 
brought  to  Jamaica,  and  interred  under  the  communion 
table  in  the  old  Stone  Church.  The  following  notice 
of  his  death  appeared  in  Kivington's  Gazette  for  March 
24th,  1774. 

On  Friday  last,  died  in  this  city,  in  the  36tli  year  of  his 
age,  the  Rev.  William  Mills,  minister  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Jamaica,  L.  I.  His  amiable  disposition,  his 
peaceful  and  prudent  conduct,  his  unaffected  piety,  and 
rational  devotion,  remarkably  endeared  him  to  those  ac- 
quainted with  him  ;  and  as  his  life  was  a  bright  example  of 
the  Christian  virtues  he  inculcated  on  others,  so  in  the 
prospect  of  dissolution,  he  enjoyed  that  calm  serenity  of 
soul,  and  that  good  hope  which  are  the  peculiar  blessings 
of  the  righteous.  "  Mark  the  perfect  man  and  behold  the 
upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace." 

His  remains  were  interred  on  Monday  last  at  Jamaica ;  a 
large  number  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  of  that 
town  and  the  country  adjacent,  attended  at  the  funeral, 
when  a  sermon  well  adaj^ted  to  the  occasion  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rodgers,  from  Matt.  xxv.  21. 

In  a  letter  of  Mrs.  Eliz.  Hackett,  a  sister  of  Mrs^ 
Mills,  and  residing  in  her  fiimily,  dated  December  21st, 
1773,  addressed  to  her  niece,  Mrs.  Mary  Green,  of  Deer- 
field,  K.  J.,  it  is  stated  that  Mr.  Mills  had  been  in  a 


PKESBTTERIAN    CHURCH,  JA^IAICA.  185 

very  poor  state  of  health  since  the  preceding  March, 
that  he  had  consulted  physicians  both  at  New  Tork 
and  Philadelphia,  whose  opinions  were  that  he  was  past 
the  power  of  medicine.  Tliej  called  his  disease  an  in- 
duration of  the  pancreas.  "  We  have  but  little  encour- 
agement that  ever  he  w^ill  be  a  well  man  again. 
He  has  not  preached  since  the  first  of  April,  and  I  have 
no  hopes  that  ever  he  will  again."  It  appears  that  he 
Avas  sick  about  one  year. 

He  left  six  children,  of  whom  several  emigrated  to 
the  West.  William  settled  at  Cincinnati,  and  Isaac  at 
Elizabethtown,  Ohio,  whicli  town  he  named  after 
Elizabethtown,  'N.  J.,  to  which  place  Mrs.  Mills  went 
to  reside  after  her  husband's  decease.  Before  his  death, 
Mr.  Mills  requested  his  sermons,  of  whicli  he  is  said  to 
have  had  a  great  number,  and  his  writings  to  be  de- 
stroyed ;  but  at  the  solicitation  of  the  Kev.  Mr.  Wood- 
hull,  of  Newtown,  who  was  his  nephew,  they  were 
given  to  him.  Mr.  Woodhull  was  a  son  of  his  sister, 
Joanna,  who  married  Nathan  Woodhull,  of  Setauket. 
A  considerable  amount  of  property  appears  to  have 
been  left  by  Mr.  Mills,  as  three  improved  tarms,  be- 
longing to  his  estate,  were  advertised  in  Kivington's 
Gazette,  to  be  sold  shortly  after  his  death. 

During  Mr.  Mills's  ministry  the  people  again  refused 
to  raise  by  tax  the  £60  which  were  appropriated  to  the 
support  of  an  Episcopal  missionary.  This  tax,  as  w^as 
stated  at  the  close  of  a  former  chapter,  was  laid  upon 
the  people  of  all  denominations.  In  1769  the  people 
of  Jamaica  refused  to  pay  the  stipend  to  the  Episcopal 
minister,  and  at  length  made  an  appeal  to  the  Court  of 
Chancery,  to  be  relieved  from  the  burden.    Mr.  Bloomer 


186  niSTOKY    OF    THE 

tlie  missionary,  who  addressed  the  Secretary  in  the  fol- 
lowing, was  inducted,  on  the  28d  of  May,  1769. 

Mr.  Bloomer  to  the  Secretary. 
(extract.) 

Jamaica,  Feb.  15th,  1770. 

Rev.  Sir, — I  am  sorry  to  acquaint  the  Society  that  my 
happiness  is  much  obstructed  on  account  of  a  troublesome 
lawsuit  I  am  under  the  oblis^ation  of  commencing  against 
the  Parish  for  a  salary  of  £60  a  year  allowed  by  an  act  of 
the  Province  to  the  minister  who  is  legally  inducted  by  the 
Governor.  The  law  for  raising  this  sum  obliges  the  people 
of  the  Parish,  consisting  of  all  denominations,  annually  to 
elect  ten  Vestrymen  and  two  Churchwardens  who  are  to 
call  within  one  year  after  a  vacancy,  a  sufficient  Protestant 
Minister  of  the  Gospel,  whom  they  are  to  present  to  the 
Governor,  or  Commander  in  Chief  for  induction.  And  as 
dissenters  compose  a  great  majority  of  the  Parish,  they  are 
careful  to  admit  none  into  these  offices  but  such  as  are  op- 
250sed  to  calling  and  presenting  a  minister  of  the  Church 
of  England.  And  in  order  to  evade  paying  the  salary 
(which  being  raised  by  tax,  they  complain  of  as  a  burden) 
and  at  the  same  time  comply  with  the  law,  they  some  years 
ago  called  and  presented  to  the  Governor,  a  minister  of 
the  Presbyterian  persuasion,  but  he  was  refused  induc- 
tion : — and  as  the  act  only  specifies  that  he  who  is  called 
shall  be  a  sufficient  Protestant  Minister  of  the  Gospel, 
without  confining  them  to  any  particular  denomination^ 
they  imagine  that  the  law  has  been  complied  with  on  their 
parts,  and  absolutely  refuse  paying  me  any  money  raised 
by  virtue  of  that  act,  notwithstanding  my  being  inducted 
by  authority  from  his  Excellency,  the  Governor,  as  I  am 
destitute  of  a  call  from  them,  who  being  dissenters,  and 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  187 

chiefly  Presbyterians,  are  averse  to  the  supporting  of  the 
Church  of  England. 

The  Court  decreed  in  favour  of  Mr.  Bloomer,  and  it 
does  not  appear  that  the  people  obtained  any  redress 
until  the  Revolution  relieved  them.  That  event  put 
an  end  to  the  controversy  which  had  continued  in  this 
place,  between  the  Presbyterians  and  Episcopalians, 
for  three  quarters  of  a  century. 

REV.  MR.  BLOOMER  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Jamaica,  Febrvary  1th.,  1776. 
Revd.  Sir, 

*  *  *  The  state  of  my  mission  is  much  the 
same  as  I  informed  you  in  my  last  only  greatly  troubled 
on  account  of  their  political  sentiments  which  are  strictly 
loyal  &  peaceable.  Last  week  a  number  of  Troops  by 
order  of  the  Continental  Congress  disarmed  this  Township 
&  Hempstead  &  carried  off  about  twenty  of  the  principal 
persons  of  Mr.  Cutting's  &  my  congregation  prisoners  to 
Philadelphia  they  being  accused  of  opposing  the  present 

measures. 

I  am  Revd.  Sir  &c.  &c. 

Joshua  Bloomer. 

rev.  mr.  bloomer  to  the  secretary. 

Jamaica,  Aj^ril  9lh,  1777. 
Revd.  Sir, 

*  *  *  I  feel  myself  happy  in  having  it  in  my 
power  at  this  time  to  write  to  you  from  a  land  restored 
from  anarchy  &  confusion  to  the  blessings  of  Order  and 
Good  Government.  The  arrival  of  the  Kings  troops  & 
their  success  on  this  Island  has  rendered  every  loyal  subject, 
of  which  there  are  a  great  number  here,  happy ;  previous 
to  that  event  the  Rebel  Army  Avhich  were  quartered  at 


1S8  HISTORY    OF   THE 

New  York  had  assumed  the  whole  power  and  their  Govern- 
ment Avas  in  the  highest  degree  arbitrary  and  tyrannical ; 
loyalty  to  our  Sovereign  was  in  their  judgment  the  worst 
of  crimes  and  was  frequently  j^unished  with  great  severity. 
The  principal  members  of  my  congregation  who  conscien- 
tiously refused  to  join  in  their   measures,  excited  their 
highest  resentment,  their  houses  were  plundered,  their  per- 
sons seized,  some  were  committed  to  prison  &  others  sent 
under  a  strong  guard  to  the  distant  parts  of  Conn*  where 
they  were  detained  as  prisoners  for  several  months  'til 
after  repeated  solicitations  to  the  Governor  &  Assembly 
of  that  Province  they  were  permitted  to  return  to  their 
FamiUes.      The   service   of  the   church   also   gave   great 
offence,  the  Prayers  for  the  King  and  Royal  Family  being 
directly  repugnant  to  their  independent  Scheme,  they  bit- 
terly inveighed   &   frequently  by  threats    endeavored   to 
intimidate  the  ministers  and  cause  them  to   omit  those 
parts  of  the  Liturgy.     AVhen  Independence  was  declared 
by  Congress  they  grew  more  violent,  and  I  received  a  let- 
ter from  one  of  the  committee  of  Xew  York  informins"  me 
that  my  persisting  in  praying  for  the  King  gave  great 
offence  c^  conjuring  me  as  I  regarded  my  personal  safety 
to  omit  it  for  the  future.     Upon  consulting  my  Church- 
wardens &  vestry  what  measure  it  was  most  prudent  for 
me  to  pursue  at  this  critical  juncture they  unan- 
imously advised  me,  that  as  the  Kings  Army  lay  at  Staten 
Island  <fc  was  daily  expected  to  march  into  my  Parish  from 
whom  I  should  obtain  relief,  to  shut  up  my  church.     I 
agreed  with  them  in  opinion  as  if  I  did  not  take  that  measure 
I  was  persuaded  that  I  should  be  sent  to  some  remote  part 
of  New  England  from  whence  perhaps  it  would  be  a  long 
time  before  I  could  be  reUeved.     My  Church  was  accord- 
ingly shut  up  for  five  Sundays  when  the  Kings  troops 
landed  whose  success  has  restored  us  to  those  relidous 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHUECH,  JA3IAICA.  189 

principles  of  which  we  were  deprived  by  tyranny  &  per- 
secution. I  hope  my  conduct  in  this  as  well  as  in  all 
other  matters  will  gain  the  approbation  of  the  Venerable 
Society  as  their  displeasure  would  give  me  the  greatest 
pain ;  their  approbation  the  highest  satisfaction.  The 
Church  in  this  Province  has  suffered  greatly  by  the  death 
of  its  Ministers  viz :  Dr  Auchmuty  at  New  York  Mr 
Avery  at  Rye  &  Mr  Babcock  at  Phillipsburgh. 

I  am  Revd  Sir  &c 

Joshua  Bloomek. 


190  HISTORY    OF   THE 


C  H  A  P  f  E  K     Y  I  I . 
1775-1815. 

MATTHIAS  BURNET  ORDAINED  —  MARRIES  IX  JAMAICA  —  THE  REVOLUTION  — 
PRESBYTERIAN  MINISTERS  SUPPORT  THE  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  —  REVO- 
LUTIONARY  INCIDENTS  —  MR.   BURNET  HAS  INFLUENCE    WITH   THE    LOYALISTS 

SAVES    THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH     FROM    DESTRUCTION  —  HIGHLANDERS 

ATTEND     HIS     PREACHING  —  THE     SCOTCH     WOMAN     AND     HER     BOTTLE      OP 

WATER  —  MR.      ONDERDONk's      REVOLUTIONARY      INCIDENTS ELIAS     BAYLI3 

ARRESTED  —  SENT  TO  THE  PROVOST  —  SINGS  IN  PRISON  —  HIS  DEATH  — 
OTHER  WHIGS  SEIZED  —  WHIGS  RETURN  AT  THE  CLOSE  OP  THE  WAR  —  MR. 
BURNET  LEAVES,  AND  SETTLES  AT  NORWALK  —  DEATH  —  GEORGE  FAITOCTE 
INSTALLED  —  ONE  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  TRUSTEES  OF  U.  H.  ACADEMY  —  THE 
OLD  STONE  CHURCH  TAKEN  DOWN,  AND  A  NEW  ONE  BUILT  —  MR. 
FAITOUTE's     DEATH. 

THE  Key. 
MATTHIAS  BURXET,  D.  D., 

received  the  call  of  tins  clinrcli  in  the  fall  of  1774,  and 
was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Xew  York,  and  in 
stalled  as  pastor  in  April,  1775.  He  was  born  at  Bot- 
tle Hill,  'N.  J.,  January  2ith,  1719,  and  graduated  at 
Princeton  in  1769.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Ann 
Combs  of  Jamaica,  an  Episcopalian;  he  afterwards 
married  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Mr.  Roe,  of  Woodbridge, 
IS".  J.,  who  survived  him,  and  died  but  a  few  years 
since  in  the  city  of  Xew  York. 

Mr.  Burnet  came  here  just  at  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  continued  here  till  its  close. 
It  must  be  owned  that  he  was  one  of  the  very  few,  if 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  101 

not  the  only  one  of  tlie  Presbyterian  Clergy,  who  did 
not  openly  esj^ouse  the  cause  of  civil  liberty.  Wither- 
spoon,  Kodgers,  Duffield,  Spencer,  and  the  whole 
Synod,  in  its  official  capacity,  without  a  dissenting 
voice,  threw  their  influence  on  the  side  of  the  Colonies, 
against  the  usurpations  of  tlie  government.  In  a  pas- 
toral letter,  adopted  May  22d,  1775,  the  Synod  exhor- 
ted the  people  to  endeavor  to  maintain  union,  to  treat 
with  respect,  and  encourage  the  Continental  Congress, 
then  sitting  at  Philadelphia,  by  letting  it  be  seen  that 
"  the  whole  strength  of  this  vast  country "  can  be 
brought  out  to  carry  their  resolutions  into  execution. 
At  the  same  meeting,  the  Synod  earnestly  recommend- 
ed it  to  all  the  congregations  under  their  care  to  spend 
the  afternoon  of  the  last  Thursday  in  every  month  in 
public  solemn  prayer  to  God,  during  the  continuance 
of  the  struggle. 

A  large  majority  of  the  people  of  Queen's  County 
were  decided  loyalists.  Jamaica  declined  to  send  a 
deputy  to  the  Provincial  Congress,  at  a  town  meeting 
held  March  31st,  1775,  by  a  vote  of  91:  to  83.  At  a 
town  meeting  held  on  the  6th  of  the  preceding  Decem- 
ber patriotic  resolutions  had  been  passed,  and  a  Com- 
mittee of  correspondence  and  observation  appointed  of 
which  the  Pev.  Abraham  Keteltas  was  chairman.  A 
protest  against  the  resolutions  and  committee  was  put 
forth  in  January  following,  signed  by  136  persons,  91 
of  them  freeholders.  Joseph  Pobinson  of  Jamaica, 
was  deputy  chairman  of  the  county  committee  ;  and 
Elias  Baylis  (chairman),  Joseph  Pobinson,  Amos  Den- 
ton, John  Thurston,  ISToah  Smith,  and  J^athaniel  Tuthill, 
were  the  sub -committee  of  Jamaica  appointed  under  a 


192  HISTORY   OF   THE 

recommendation  of  Congress,  May  29tli,  1775,  all  of 
them,  presumed  from  the  names,  to  be  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  congregation.  Elias  Baylis  was  an  elder. 
Congress  ordered  all  persons  in  Queens  County  sup- 
posed to  be  imfriendly  t%  the  American  cause  to  be 
disarmed  ;  and  Col.  Heard,  of  Woodbridge,  X.  J.  with 
a  force  of  near  900  marched  to  Jamaica  in  January, 
1776,  and  took  into  custody  certain  leaders  among  the 
disaffected,  and  disarmed  all  who  could  be  found  who 
voted  against  delegates  to  Congress ;  and  then  pro- 
ceeded on  the  same  errand  to  other  towns.  The  patriots 
or  defenders  of  American  liberty  formed  themselves 
into  a  company  of  minute  men,  and  elected  John 
Skidmore,  Esq.,  Captain.  Another  company  was 
formed  who  elected  Ephraim  Baylis,  Captain.  At  the 
battle  of  Long  Island,  a  Jamaica  company.  Captain 
Jacob  Wright,  was  in  Colonel  Lasher's  1st  New  York 
battalion,  in  Scott's  brigade,  and  on  the  day  of  battle 
was  in  Cobble  Hill  Fort.  The  day  after  the  battle  a 
detachment  of  the  17th  Light  Dragoons  were  seen 
dashing  through  Jamaica,  during  a  severe  thunder- 
storm, in  pursuit  of  General  WoodhuU.  They  overtook 
him  two  miles  east  of  the  town,  where,  after  he  had  de- 
livered up  his  sword,  they  "showered  their  sabre 
blows  on  his  devoted  head." 

The  tables  were  now  turned ;  the  Loyalists  were  pro- 
tected and  the  Whigs  seized.  As  fast  as  they  were 
arrested  they  were  put  into  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  guarded  until  a  sufficient  number  were  collected  to 
send  to  the  prison  ship.  As  they  were  marched  off, 
some,  it  is  said,  gazed  on  them  with  a  fiendish  smile  of 
triumph.      Some   escaped;    Eev.    Mr.   Keteltas    got 


rHESBYTEKlAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  193 

across  the  sound  to  Connecticut ;  J.  J.  Skidmore  went 
up  tlie  I^orth  River.  The  houses,  fences,  and  farms, 
of  the  refugees  were  laid  waste ;  it  was  a  dark  day  in- 
deed, for  the  little  band  who  had  declared  for  American 
Independence. 

"  Jamaica  was  occupied  by  soldiers  during  the  whole 
war,  especially  in  winter,  when  the  soldiers  cantoned 
here  after  their  summer  expeditions.  On  the  side-hill, 
north  of  the  village,  were  several  rows  of  huts,  extend- 
ing a  mile  or  so  to  the  east  and  west,  w^ith  streets 
between.  The  huts  were  partly  sunk  in  the  earth, 
w^ith  a  rude  stone  fireplace  and  chimney  of  sticks  and 
mortar,  covered  with  thatch,  sedge,  reeds,  or  sods,  laid 
over  boards.  Boards  were  in  such  demand  that  the 
old  county  hall  and  other  buildings,  were  torn  down 
for  building  materials.  ''^  '^  ^  The  parade  was  between 
the  huts  and  the  village.  The  hospital  at  one  time 
was  in  the  huts.  Here,  great  mortality  prevailed,  and 
the  dead  were  interred  so  carelessly  that  after  the 
peace,  their  bones  were  seen  above  ground,  and  were 
again  covered."  Benedict  Arnold's  Legion,  lay  near 
Black  Stump.  He  v.  Sam'l  Seabury  was  chaplain  of 
the  "  King's  American  Regiment,"  Colonel  Edmund 
Fanning.  A  sermon  on  "  St.  Peter's  exhortation  to  fear 
God  and  honor  the  King"  preached  by  him,  before 
his  Majesty's  provincial  troops,  was  published  by  order 
of  Governor  Tryon."^ 

During  the  occupation  of  Jamaica  by  the  British 
army,  Mr.  Burnet  was  permitted  to  preach  nndisturbed, 
and  by  his  influence  with  the  loyalists,  preserved  the 

*  For  the  above  resume  and  extracts,  see  Onderdouk's  Revolutionary  In- 
cidents of  Queens  County. 


19:t  IIISTOKY    OF    THE 

Presbyterian  Cliiircli  from  destruction.  Mr.  Onder- 
donk  lias  preserved  many  interesting  facts  relating  to 
this  period.  To  Ins  work  I  am  indebted  for  the  follow- 
ing : 

Soon  after  the  British  were  estabhshed  in  Jamaica,  a 
parcel  of  loyalists  perched  themselves  in  tlie  belfry  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  commenced  sawiug  off  the 
steeple.  Word  was  brought  to  the  pastor,  tlie  Rev.  Mr. 
Burnet.  Whitehead  Hicks,  Mayor  of  Xew  York,  hap- 
pened to  be  at  his  house,  and  as  Burnet  was  a  loyaUst,  soon 
put  a  stop  to  the  outrage. 

Mr.  Burnet,  (who  had  married  an  Episcopalian,)  was 
the  only  Presbyterian  minister  in  the  county*  reputed  to 
be  a  friend  of  the  government,  and  was  therefore  allowed 
to  preach  here  during  the  whole  war.  Ahhough  he  saved 
the  church  from  desecration,  yet  after  the  peace,  party 
spirit  ran  so  high  that  he  was  forced  to  leave. 

The  Highlanders  attended  his  church,  and  sat  by  them- 
selves in  the  galleries.  Some  had  their  wives  with  them, 
and  several  children  were  baptized.  Once  when  the  sexton 
had  neglected  to  provide  water,  and  was  about  to  go  for 
it,  the  thoughtful  mother  called  hun  back,  and  drew  a  bottle 
of  it  from  her  pocket. — Pp.  151,  152. 

The  Church  Pegister  shows  that  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  infants  of  soldiers  belonging  to  the  71st,  74th  and 
80th  Pegiments  were  baptized  by  Mr.  Burnet.  Mr.  On- 
derdonk  also  states  that  General  Oliver  Delancy,whohad 
been  appointed  by  Howe  to  induce  the  loyalists  to  join 
the  king's  troops,  had  his  quarters  at  Jamaica  for  some 
time,  at  the  parsonage-honse  of  the  Pev.  Mr.  Burnet. 

But  if  the  minister  was  a  friend  of  the  government, 

*  If  Mr.  0.  had  said  country,  so  far  as  I  know,  it  \yould  have  been  true. 


PKESBYTERIAN   CHUECII,    JAMAICA.  195 

or  concealed  liis  real  principles,  liis  people  did  not 
generally  take  liim  for  an  example  in  that  respect.  I 
cannot  forbear,  in  tliis  connection,  to  give  from  tlie 
same  interesting  volume,  the  acconnt  of  Elias  Bajlis, 
an  elder  of  this  church,  whose  descendants  are  numer- 
ous in  this  congregation,  two  of  his  grand-children 
being  ruling  elders  at  this  time,  and  whose  daughter, 
Mrs.  Abigail  Carpenter,  was  the  oldest  communicant 
at  the  time  the  first  edition  of  this  history  was  issued, 
having  made  a  profession  of  religion  nearly  sixty  years 
before ; 

The  day  after  Gen.  Woodhull's  capture,  (August  28th, 
1776,)  Elias  Bayhs,  Chairman  of  the  Jamaica  Committee, 
was  walking  over  to  Nicholas  Smith's,  at  the  One-Mile  Mill, 
to  hear  the  news,  when  he  was  arrested  by  a  neighbour, 
who  wished  to  do  something  to  ingratiate  himself  with 
the  British. 

When  the  venerable  man,  blind  as  he  was,  was  brought 
before  the  British  officer  at  Jamaica,  he  exclaimed  in  sur- 
prise, "  Why  do  you  bring  this  man  here  ?  He's  blind  :  he 
can  do  no  harm."  The  unfeeling  wretch  who  had  informed 
against  him,  replied :  "  He's  blind,  but  he  can  talk." 
Baylis  did  not  attempt  to  conciliate  the  officer,  but  unfor- 
tunately dropped  a  few  words  in  vindication  of  the 
American  cause.  This  was  enough.  He  was  shut  up  in 
the  Presbyterian  church  that  night,  and  the  next  day 
carried  to  the  prison  at  New  Utrecht.*  Pie  was  subse- 
quently removed  to  the  Provost  in  New  York. 

*  Daniel  Duryee,  (afterwards  assemblyman,)  Wm.  Furman,  Wm.  Creed, 
and  two  others  were  put  in  one  pew  in  New  Utrecht  church.  Baylis  wanted 
them  to  get  the  Bible  out  of  the  pulpit  and  read  to  him.  They  feared  to  do 
it,  but  led  the  blind  man  to  the  pulpit  steps.  As  he  returned  with  it,  a 
British  guard  met  him,  beat  him  violently,  and  took  away  the  book.  They 
were  three  weeks  at  New  Utrecht,  and  then  marched  down  to  the  prison-ship. 


196  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Elias  Baylis  was  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  stood  high  in  the  community  for  uprightness  and 
ability.  He  had  a  sweet  voice,  and  could  sing  whole  psalms 
and  hymns  from  memory :  it  will  not  be  surprising,  then,  to 
find  him  beguiling  his  dreary  imprisonment  in  singing, 
among  others,  the  142d  Psalm: 

Lord,  I  am  brought  exceeding  low, 

Now  let  thine  ear  attend, 
And  make  my  foes,  who  vex  me,  know 

I've  an  Almighty  Friend. 

From  my  sad  prison  set  me  free, 

Then  I  shall  praise  thy  name ; 
And  holy  men  shall  join  with  me 

Thy  kindness  to  proclaim. 

The  aged  man  was  visited  in  prison  by  his  wife  and 
daughter.  After  a  confinement  of  about  two  months,  at 
the  intercession  of  his  friends,  he  was  released,  barely  in 
time  to  breathe  his  last  Avithout  a  prison's  Avails.  He  died 
in  crossing  the  ferry  with  his  daughter,  and  his  mortal  re- 
mains now  repose,  without  a  stone  to  mark  the  spot,  or 
commemorate  his  worth. 

The  heartless  wretch  who  arrested  him  fled,  on  the 
return  of  peace,  to  Xova  Scotia,  dreading  the  vengeance  of 
his  fellow-citizens  ;  but  after  two  years'  exile,  he  A^entured 
to  return,  but  looked  so  poor  and  forlorn,  that  he  Avas 
ncA'^er  molested. 

Many  other  Whisks  were  seized  and  sent  off  to  the 
prison-ship,  and  among  them  John  Thurston,  Robert 
Ilincliman,  and  David  Lamberson,  AA^bo  were  Presby- 
terians.    Daniel  Smith  was  confined  in  the  church 


PRESBYTERIAN    CIIURCn,    JAMAICA.  197 

about  a  week,  witli  old  Daniel  Baylls.  Tlie  officer  in 
cliarge  said  to  Baylis,  "  You'll  see  England."  Baylis 
replied,  "  'T  will  be  a  siglit — won't  it?"  Increase  Car- 
penter was  a  commissary  to  the  American  army ;  John 
J.  Slddmore,  who  went  away  for  safety,  did  not  return 
until  after  peace  had  been  declared. 

The  glorious  event  of  peace  was  celebrated,  by  the 
Whio:  inhabitants  of  Queens  County,  at  Jamaica  on 
the  Monday  preceding  December  13th,  1783.  At 
sunrise  a  volley  w^as  fired  by  the  Continental  troops,  a 
liberty  pole  was  erected,  and  the  thirteen  stripes  dis- 
played from  it.  In  the  afternoon,  officers  of  the  army 
and  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  the  County  dined, 
attended  by  the  music  of  an  excellent  band,  formerly 
belonging  to  the  Line  of  this  State.  In  May,  1784,  the 
courts,  which  had  been  closed,  were  re-opened,  and 
were  held,  until  the  new  court-house  was  built,  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church.* 

But  to  return  to  Mr.  Burnet.  At  the  close  of  the 
war,  the  influential  men  of  his  congregation,  who  had 
been  scattered  in  various  directions,  came  back  to  their 
homes ;  and,  as  may  well  be  supposed,  were  not  alto- 
gether satisfied  with  the  course  their  minister  had 
taken.  He  still,  however,  had  many  w^armly-attached 
friends,  who  argued  that  it  was  through  his  instru- 
mentality the  church  had  been  saved  from  desolation, 
and  it  w^ould  be  ungrateful  to  turn  him  away.f  But 
Mr.  Burnet  found  it  necessary  to  resign  his  charge. 

*  Revolutionary  Incidents,  pp.  256  and  258. 

t  I  have  been  informed,  by  an  intelligent  aged  person,  who  was  intimate 
in  Mr.  Burnet's  family,  that  he  never  spoke  either  in  favour  of,  or  against 
the  British  government,  and  that  some  supposed  he  was  at  heart  a  sincere 
Whiff. 


198  HISTORY    OF    THE 

At  the  close  of  liis  farewell  service,  lie  gave  out  tlie 
120tli  Psalm,  wliicli  will  aiforcl  an  idea  of  the  state  of 
feeling  on  both  sides  : 

Hard  lot  of  mine  !  my  clays  are  cast 

Among  the  sons  of  strife, 
Whose  never-ceasing  quarrels  waste 

My  golden  hours  of  life. 

0  !  might  I  fly  to  change  my  place, 
How  would  I  choose  to  dwell 

In  some  wide,  lonesome  wilderness. 
And  leave  these  gates  of  hell. 

Peace  is  the  blessing  that  I  seek, 
How  lovely  are  its  charms  ! 

1  am  for  peace  ;  but  when  I  speak, 

They  all  declare  for  arms. 

In  Mr.  Faitoute's  "  Brief  History"  of  the  Clmrch,  he 
thus  speaks  of  Mr.  Burnet :  ''  For  the  greater  part  of 
the  time  Mr.  Burnet  was  with  this  people,  it  was  a  time 
peculiarl}^  distressing.  Being  seated  near  the  ocean, 
and  possession  being  soon  after  gained  by  the  British 
troops,  after  their  taking  the  city  of  ^ew  York,  a  num- 
ber of  the  Whigs  made  their  escape  from  them,  leav- 
ing their  possessions,  and  many  friends  still  on  the 
Island.  I  have  been  told  an  attempt  was  made  to  des- 
troy the  Presbyterian  Church,  or  at  least  to  render  it 
unfit  for  holding  worship  in  it,  which  Mr.  B.  by  his  in- 
fluence prevented ;  and  that  he  saved  the  woodland 
from  beiug  entirely  cut  ofi"  by  the  enemy.  After  the 
evacuation  of  New  York,  and  the  return  of  those  mem- 
bers of  the  Society  who  had  fled,  some  disagreement 
arose  between  Mr.  B.  and  his  people,  which  occasioned 
a  desire  in  him  to  be  liberated  from  his  charo^e,  and  he 
was  accordingly  liberated  by  the  Presbytery  of  Xew 


PRESBYTEEIAN   CHUECH,  JAMAICA.  199 

York  ill  May,  1785."  lie  received  a  call  from  'Nov- 
walk,  Connecticut,  where  he  settled  November  2, 1785, 
as  pastor  of  the  First  Congregational  Church.  He  an- 
nually visited  Jamaica,  and  in  1790,  being  invited,  he 
preached  to  an  overflowing  assembly,  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  from  John  iv.  35-38.  Say  not  ye  there 
are  yet  four  months^  &c.  His  sermon  was  published 
in  the  American  Preacher,  Yol.  H.,  and  is  entitled 
"  Moral  Peilections  upon  the  Season  of  Harvest."  In 
its  conclusion  he  addressed  first  the  minister  and  then 
the  people.  In  his  address  to  Mr.  Faitoute,  he  thus  al- 
luded to  his  connection  w^ith  the  congregation  during 
the  war  :  "  In  the  days  of  my  youth  I  was  by  the  lay- 
ing on  of  hands,  and  particular  designation  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, placed  in  this  part  of  the  great  field  of  Christ's 
Church,  where  numbers  of  faithful  laborers  had  been 
before,  wdtli  a  solemn  charge  to  labour  in  it,  and  watch 
over  it.  For  several  years  I  devoted  myself  to  this 
charge ;  and  though  with  many  imperfections,  I  ac- 
knowledge I  did  it,  yet  never  with  a  dishonest  heart. 
In  troublous  and  perilous  times  I  kept  it,  laboured  in  it, 
and  watched  over  it,  readily  contributing  both  by  word 
and  deed,  whatever  was  in  my  power  for  its  protection, 
cultivation,  and  growth,  in  the  fruits  of  truth  and  right- 
eousness." 

Mr.  Burnet  continued  at  ITorwalk  until  his  death, 
which  took  place  June  30,  1806.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Prime, 
in  his  history  of  Long  Island,  says  that  he  remembers 
this  event  with  solemn  interest.  He  preached  for  Dr. 
Burnet  on  the  preceding  day,  and  parted  from  him  on 
Monday  morning,  about  two  hours  before  his  sudden  exit. 

The  Ilev.  James  Grlassbrook  was  received  as  an  or- 


200  niSTORY   OF   THE 

dainecl  minister  from  England  by  the  ^ew  York  Pres- 
bytery, in  1786.  and  began  to  preach  here  Marcli  lltli, 
1786.  He  so  far  gained  upon  the  regards  of  the  people 
as  to  have  a  call  put  into  his  hands ;  but  some  difficul- 
ties arose,  and  the  prospect  of  settlement  failed.  He 
continued  here  till  November,  1787,  and  was  for  a  time 
stated  supply  at  Pittsgrove  (formerly  Pilesgrove),  Cum- 
berland County,  New  Jersey.  In  1790,  he  was  dis- 
missed from  the  Presbytery  of  New  York  to  join  the 
Presbytery  of  Baltimore.  Kev.  Asa  Hillyer,  D.  D., 
afterwards  of  Orange,  New  Jersey,  preached  for  about 
six  months,  in  the  year  1788.  Messrs.  Thompson,  Tem- 
pleton,  Tate,  Close,  Eoe,  Brush,  White,  Woodhull,  and 
Hart  preached  here  during  the  rest  of  that  year,  and 
the  former  j)art  of  1789.  Mr.  White  preached  as  a 
candidate  for  several  months,  and  many  w^ere  pleased 
with  him  ;  but  the  Kev. 

GEORGE    FAITOUTE 

was  the  next  pastor.  He  was  of  Huguenot  descent, 
born  in  the  city  of  New  York  in  1750  ;  and  during  his 
early  years  attended  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  grad- 
uated at  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  1774,  and  was 
ordained  by  New  Brunswick  Presbytery,  pastor  of  Al- 
lentown.  New  Jersey,  in  1779,  where  he  remained  till 
April,  1782,  when  he  was  installed  at  Greenwich,  in 
Cohanzy,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia.  In  May, 
1789,  a  call  was  put  into  his  hands  from  Jamaica. 
"  This  call,"  he  says  in  his  "  Brief  History,"  written  in 
1793,  "after  duly  weighing  and  considering  of  it,  I  con- 
ceived it  my  duty  to  accept,  and  accordingly  declared 
my  ready  acceptance  of  it,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Presby- 


PKESBYTEKIAN   CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  201 

lery  of  Philadelphia,  held  at  Philadelphia,  Jane  16, 
1789,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  records  of  tlie  Presbytery. 
In  the  month  of  Jnly  following,  I  arrived  at  Jamaica 
with  my  family,  and  entered  the  parsonage  honse  with- 
out those  difficulties  which  some  of  my  predecessors 
had  experienced  from  the  zeal  of  a  few  bigoted  Episco- 
palians, who  were  not  original  proprietors  in  this  place. 
Since  the  Pevolution,  some  time  in  the  year  1781,  this 
Church  obtained  a  Charter,  which  has  secured  to  them 
their  church  property,  and  troubles  of  this  nature  we 
hope  will  no  more  arise." 

"A  dispute  had  subsisted  for  some  time  whether  this 
Church  belonged  to  and  was  under  the  care  of  the  Pres- 
byteiy  of  Suffolk,  which  then  existed,  and  was  afterwards 
dissolved  by  an  Act  of  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  'New 
Jersey.  But  upon  the  application  of  the  congregation 
to  the  Synod,  by  their  commissioners,  after  I  had  come 
among  them,  the  Synod,  at  their  meeting  in  Elizabeth- 
toAvn,  October,  1789,  did  agree  to  annex  this  congrega- 
tion to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  with  which  they 
so  much  desired  to  be  connected,  and  with  which  they 
believed  themselves  to  have  been  always  connected, 
notwithstanding  the  claims  of  the  Suffolk  Presbytery. 
In  consequence  of  this  Act  of  Synod  I  took  my  dismis- 
sion from  said  Presbytery,  and  was  received  by  that  of 
New  York,  who  appointed  a  commission  to  attend  at 
Jamaica,  and  proceed  to  my  installation.  The  com- 
mission were  Rev.  Dr.  Podgers  and  Dr.  McKnight,  wdio 
attended  at  the  time  appointed — loth  December,  1789. 
Dr.  McKnight  preached  the  installation  sermon,  and 
Dr.  Podgers  gave  the  charge  and  made  the  exhortation 
to  the  people." 
9* 


202  HISTORY    OF    THE 

''The  records  of  this  church  have  been  rather  defi- 
cient, but  such  as  we  liave  are  at  hand,  and  may  be 
consulted.  This  church  consists  now  of  96  heads  of 
families ;  the  individuals  composing  these  families 
amount  to  539  persons,  besides  my  own  family,  who  in 
all  are  12  persons.  The  communicants  are  58  persons. 
Since  my  settlement  a  few  have  been  added,  in  this 
respect,  to  the  church.  God  grant  a  revival  of  pure 
religion  among  us !  Public  w^orship  is  indeed  very 
Avell  attended,  and  so  man}^  often  attend  the  preaching 
of  tlie  Gospel,  that  commonly  there  is  not  room  enough 
in  the  Church  to  give  all  the  hearers  comfortable  seats." 

Mr.  Faitoute  continued  the  beloved  pastor  of  this 
Church  for  nearly  twenty-six  years,  a  considerably 
longer  period  than  any  of  the  other  ministers.  He 
was  suddenly  removed  from  his  labours  on  earth  to  his 
reward  in  heaven,  on  the  Lord's  day,  August  21,  1815, 
having  preached,  with  his  usual  vigor,  in  the  morning, 
aged  65  years.  His  sepulchre  is  in  the  burying-ground. 
belonging  to  this  congregation. 

He  published  a  sermon  in  the  "American  Preacher," 
and  I  liave  read  others  in  MS.  He  wrote  in  a  simple, 
earnest  style.  He  was  one  of  the  original  Trustees  of 
Union  Hall  Academy ;  and  in  1797  was  employed  as 
Principal  of  this  Institution,  attending  at  tlie  same  time, 
to  his  pastoral  duties;  he  is  still  remembered  with  res- 
pect and  affection  by  those  of  his  pupils  who  survive. 

It  was  during  Mr.  Faitoute's  ministr}^  that  the  present 
liouse  of  worship  w'as  erected.  The  old  stone  Church 
had  stood  Ll-l  years;  and  there  are  man}^,  at  this  time, 
in  the  congregation,  who,  in  their  childhood  and  youth, 
knew  no  other  place  of  worship.     It  was  taken  down 


Erectei  A.  D.  ISIS 


PEESBYTEKIAN    CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  203 

in  1813,  and  a  portion  of  the  stones  of  which  it  was 
composed  was  used  in  laying  the  foundations  of  the 
new  edifice,  which  was  solemnly  dedicated  to  the  service 
of  God,  on  the  18th  day  of  January,  a.  d.  ISli.  The 
service  was  as  follows  : 

Introductory  Prayer  by  Dr.  Milldoler. 

Eead  2  Chron.  6th  Chapter. 

Sung  Psalm  132 — tune  New  Salem. 

Dedicatory  Prayer  by  Dr.  Milldoler. 

Sung  Psalm  84 — tune  Coronation. 

Sermon  by  Dr.  Milldoler  from  John  ii.  17. 

Concluding  Prayer  by  Dr.  Basset  of  Bushwick. 

Sung  Hymn  128,  Second  Book— tune  Mount  Olive. 

Benediction  by  Mr.  Faitoute. 

Mr.  Faitoute  lived  to  preach  in  this  house  about  one 
year  and  a  half;  and  but  one  of  the  building  com- 
mittee, Mr.  James  Herri  man,  survives.  The  house 
was  completed  with  a  steeple,  which  was  102  feet 
high,  and  was  much  admired  for  its  symmetry;  but  it 
w^as  taken  down  a  number  of  years  since,  on  account 
of  an  injury  which  it  was  supposed  to  have  received  in 
the  great  September  gale.  In  the  spring  of  1816  this 
house  was  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  13i  feet,  making 
it  90  feet  in  length.  It  is  about  46  feet  wide,  and  con- 
tains 144  pews.  At  the  time  the  lot  on  which  it  stands 
was  purchased,  the  old  parsonage,  which  was  the  house 
adjoining  the  premises  of  the  late  Judge  Laraberson, 
near  the  corner  of  Fulton  and  Beaver  streets,  and  the 
glebe  which  extended  south,  along  the  Beaver  Pond,  to- 
ward Mr.  G.  Phraner's,  were  sold,  and  the  place  where 
the  minister  now  lives  purchased.  The  present  glebe  in- 


204:         *  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

eludes  about  nine  acres  of  valuable  land.  There  is  also  a 
Avood-lot  of  considerable  extent  in  Springfield,  belong- 
ing to  the  congregation,  besides  other  property  to  a 
considerable  amount. 

The  venerable  Dr.  Shelton  has  fjivoured  the  compiler 
with  the  following  interesting  description  of  the  Church 
and  Congregation,  more  than  fifty  years  ago : 

"I  came  to  Jamaica  in  the  tall  of  1806,  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  medicine  in  connection  with 
Dr.  Minema,  who  had  been  a  surgeon  in  the  American 
army  during  the  Avar  of  the  Revolution,  and  who  was 
at  that  time  somewhat  advanced  in  years.  I  was  at 
that  time  just  twenty-two  years  of  age,  and  was  actively 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  my  profession  until  my  son 
succeeded  me  in  the  year  1840,  when  I  began  gradu- 
ally to  withdraw  from  the  more  arduous  duties  of 
general  practice,  although  I  have  continued  to  do  n:iore 
or  less  even  up  to  this  day. 

"When  I  came  to  the  village,  ]\Ir.  Faitoute  Avas  the 
minister  of  the  Presbyterian  chui-ch,  and  was  even  then 
an  old  man  and  very  feeble.  The  parsonage  in  which 
he  lived  was  an  old  revolutionary  building,  fronting 
upon  what  is  now  called  Beaver  street,  and  was  but 
very  recently  pulled  down.  Mr.  Faitoute  continued  to 
preach  up  to  the  period  of  his  death,  which  occui'red 
some  ten  years  after  my  coming  to  the  village.  He 
lived  to  preacli  but  about  two  years  in  the  church  now 
standing,  when  he  died  very  suddenly.  In  person,  Mr. 
Faitoute  was  small  of  stature  and  lame,  but  very  gray 
and  venerable  in  appearance.  His  disposition  and 
manner,  both  in  his  intercourse  with  his  people  and  in 
the  pulpit  was  tender,  fatherly,  and  aflectionate.     In 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  205 

preacliing,  he  was  earnest  and  manifested  his  sincerity 
and  interest  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  charge,  by 
weeping  often  profusely.  His  salary  was  three  hundred 
dollars  per  annum,  and  was  obtained,  not  as  now  by 
taxing  the  pews,  but  by  voluntary  subscription.  This 
small  sum  being  insufficient  for  a  comfortable  support, 
was  aided  (eked  out)  by  an  annual  visitation  of  his 
people,  at  that  time  denominated  "  a  spinning  party." 
This  term,  I  suppose,  was  derived  from  the  fact  that 
among  other  contributions  brought  by  the  congregation, 
consisting  of  such  articles  as  butter,  cheese,  wood,  etc., 
were  also  wool  and  flax  to  be  spun  for  the  clothing  of 
the  family ;  cotton  as  an  article  of  domestic  economy 
beino;  at  that  time  unknown.  Mr.  Faitoute  still  further 
added  to  his  means  of  support  by  teaching  a  small 
classical  school. 

"  The  church  in  which  he  preached  was  a  square  edi- 
fice of  stone,  directly  in  the  street,  and  about  the  centre 
of  the  village.  In  dimensions  it  was  exactly  forty  feet 
square,  with  a  broad  aisle  running  east  and  west  through 
its  middle,  with  a  door  at  either  extremity.  The  pulpit 
was  a  very  small  structure,  with  a  sounding  board  over 
it,  as  was  customary  in  those  times.  A  smaller  aisle 
extended  from  the  larger  one  at  right  angles,  opposite 
the  pulpit  to  the  south  wall  of  the  church.  Directly 
in  front  of  the  pulpit  was  a  long  table,  in  a  line  with 
the  smaller  narrow  aisle  just  mentioned.  The  pews, 
on  either  side  of  the  pulpit,  were  placed  parallel  with 
this  table  and  extending  from  the  middle  aisle  up  to 
the  north  wall.  Around  this  table  sat  the  elders  and 
deacons  every  Sabbath.  It  is  to  be  presumed  that  this 
table  was  intended  primarily  for,  and  was  used  at  com- 


206  HISTORY    OF    THE 

nninion  services,  the  communicants  sitting  aronnd  it; 
but  as  ni}^  knowledge  on  tliat  point  is  not  sufficiently 
accurate,  I  cannot  state  this  as  a  positive  fact.  At  the 
head  of  this  table,  and  directly  under  the  pulpit,  sat 
Mr.  Thomas  Baylis,  one  of  the  elders,  who  acted  as 
precentor.  He  had  a  fine  voice,  and  was  a  good  singer. 
In  the  broad  central  aisle  was  a  row  of  chairs,  the  high- 
backed  chairs  of  those  days,  extending  from  one  end 
of  it  to  the  other,  each  numbered  and  occupied  on  the 
Sabbath  by  its  own  proprietor.  The  farmers  came  to 
church  in  their  farm  wagons;  all  of  which,  with  one 
exception,  Avere  in  their  every  day  w^orking  trim.  The 
one  which  constituted  the  exception  alluded  to,  had  a 
pair  of  sides,  somewhat  better  painted  and  kept  in  re- 
serve, probably  for  Sundays.  This  wagon  had  the 
letters  D.  L.,  Daniel  Lndlum,  very  prominently  painted 
on  the  side,  to  mark  it,  doubtless,  as  belonging  to  a 
patrician  family.  They  had  no  tops,  wei-e  veiy  long- 
bodied,  and  on  Sundays  had  two  or  three  rows  of 
the  straight-backed,  rush-bottomed  chairs  placed  two 
abreast;  over  them,  by  way  of  cushions,  were  spread 
the  counterpanes  or  bed-spreads  of  the  family,  neatly 
folded.  Mr.  James  Hen-iman,  who  was,  at  the  time 
alluded  to,  a  lad  of  about  twelve  years,  has  told  me 
that  his  father's  house  being  directly  opposite  the 
church,  was  the  rendezvous  of  the  congregation  previous 
to  service  on  the  Sabbath  ;  the  only  object  of  this 
gathering  being,  in  the  winter  season,  of  course,  to 
warm  themselves  and  fill  the  small  foot-stoves  which 
the  women  all  carried,  with  hickory  coals.  The  church 
was  never  warmed  in  winter  in  those  days.  To  ac- 
commodate the  people,  Mr.  Herriman,  senior,  was  al- 


PEESBYTERIAN   CHUKCH,    JAMAICA.  207 

ways  in  the  habit,  on  Sabbath  mornings,  of  building 
an  immense  fire  of  good  dry  hickory  wood.     The  peo- 
ple would  come  in  ;   sit  around  it,  until  sufficiently 
warm,  fill  their  pans  and  retire.     My  friend,  Mr.  James 
Herriman,  tells  me  he  can  never  forget  the  impression 
produced  upon  his  youthful   mind,  by  the  profound 
silence  of  these   venerable  worshippers  of  the  early 
times,  as  they  sat,  for  a  few  brief  moments,  around  the 
blazing  fire.     There  was  no  chatting,  nor  gossipping, 
but  profound   stillness  ;    scarce   a   word  w^as   uttered. 
The  vestibule  and  outer  porch  of  the  sanctuary  was 
not  in  those  days  an  exchange,  wdiere  the  price  of  com- 
modities, or  the  current  news  of  the  day,  or  local  gossip 
could  be  discussed  and  opinions  ventilated.     Two  ser- 
vices were  held  on  Sabbath,  morning  and  afternoon, 
with  an  interval  of  one  hour  between.     During  this 
interval  the  people  dispersed  themselves  around  among 
the  houses  in  the  neighbourhood,  (Mr.  Herriman  always 
entertaining  the  larger  share,)  partaking  of  some  slight 
refreshments  brouo-ht  with  them.     The  foot-stoves  were 
again  replenished.     The  venerable  old  stone  edifice  was 
never  desecrated  by  stoves  or  furnaces,  foot-stoves  alone 
excepted;  our  pious  progenitors  seemingly  not  being 
conscious  of  any  inconsistency  in  the  idea  of  striking  a 
balance  between  the  propriety  of  warming  their  feet 
while  the  total  corpus  beside  went  uncared  for.     'No 
living  soul  in  those  days  would  have  had  the  hardihood 
and  courage  to  hint  at  the  idea  of  dift\ising  warmth 
more  generally  and  genially  through  the  whole  build- 
ing; but  when  the  old  edifice  had  at  length  yielded, 
like  all  mundane  structures,  to  the  progress  of  time  and 
ruthless  innovation,  and  a  new  church  building  had 


208  HISTORY    OF   THE 

been  erected,  and  men  had  grown  more  bold  and  daring, 
it  was  ventured  to  suggest  that  God  could  be  wor- 
shipped quite  as  well  and  devoutly  in  a  warm  building 
as  in  a  cold  one.  Great  was  the  tumult  occasioned. 
But  the  innovators  triumphed.  Mr.  Herriman  tells  me, 
as  undoubtedly  genuine,  the  following  story,  (doubtless 
often  elsewhere  revamped  and  related,)  which  I  cannot 
forbear,  even  at  the  expense  of  time  and  space,  of 
relating.  On  the  first  Sunday  after  the  stoves,  then 
known  as  Shoemakers'  stoves,  were  introduced  (with 
pipes  protruding  through  the  windows)  no  fires  were 
kindled,  it  being  thouglit  advisable,  as  I  suppose,  to 
accustom  the  congregation  to  an  innovation  so  bold  and 
shocking.  On  coming  out  of  the  church,  Mr.  Herri- 
man,  who  belonged  to  the  reforming  party,  accosted  an 
old  lady^one  Mrs.  Kettletas,  with,  'Well,  Mrs.  K., 
how  did  you  like  the  stoves?'  'Ah,  just  as  I  said, 
and  knew  it  would  be  ;  they  made  me  so  faint,  I  thought 
I  should  liave  had  to  leave  the  church.' 

"  You  requested  some  information  about  the  general 
appearance  of  the  congregation,  on  the  Sabbatli,  in 
that  venerable  old  l)uilding.  The  men  in  those  times, 
those  at  least  Avho  could  afi'ord  it,  wore  small  clothes, 
buttoned  or  tied  at  the  knee,  with  ribbons,  and  shoes 
with  large  buckles,  or  high  topped  boots ;  the  hair 
powdered  and  tied  up  behind  in  a  queue.  This  w^as 
my  OAvn  dress  at  that  day.  The  poorer  class  wore 
trousers  as  now.  The  women  wore  bodices  high  or 
short  waisted,  with  very  long,  narrow  skirts,  and  long 
protruding  bonnets.  In  winter,  they  wore  cloaks,  pre- 
cisely like  those  of  the  Quaker  ladies  at  the  present 
day,  only  of  red  colour.     This  was  then  the  universally 


PRESBTTEKIAN   CHUECH,    JAMAICA.  209 

prevailing  style,  and  gave  a  gay,  lively,  picturesque 
aspect  to  the  congregation,  which  contrasted  strangely 
with  the  devout  solemnity  and  awful  stillness  which 
pervaded  the  assembly.  I  liave  stated  above,  that  a 
row  of  chairs,  numbered  and  owned  like  pews,  ex- 
tended through  the  broad  middle  aisle.  These  being 
always  occupied  on  the  Sabbath,  and  facing  the  pulpit, 
added  materially  to  the  grotesqueness  and  singularity 
of  the  tout  ensemble^  as  seen  I'etrospectively  with  more 
modern  eyes.  The  story  of  a  wild  young  blood,  who, 
one  Sabbath  morning  in  summer,  when  the  doors,  at 
either  end  of  the  aisle  were  wide  open,  dashed  through 
on  horseback,  at  full  gallop,  to  the  great  alarm  and 
peril  of  these  women,  and  the  consternation  and  dis- 
turbance of  the  whole  congregation,  you  already  know  ; 
and  I  need  only  add,  that  story,  though  of  little  conse- 
quence, is  yet  authentic  and  undoubtedly  true.  I  must 
add,  moreover,  that  the  good  people  of  the  congrega- 
tion felt  the  insult  that  had  been  offered  to  them  so 
keenly,  that  they  came  out  of  the  church,  got  into  their 
wagons  and  chased  the  offender  some  four  miles,  but 
being  w^ell  mounted  on  a  fleet  horse,  he  effected  his 
escape,  and  immediately  afterwards  went  into  Kew 
Jersey,  where  he  remained  six  months,  before  he  ven- 
tured to  return. 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Weed  succeeded  Mr.  Faitoute,  and 
came  to  this  place  fresh  from  Princeton  Seminary,  be- 
ing of  the  very  first  class  wliicli  graduated  at  that 
institution.  He  came  highly  recommended  by  Drs. 
Alexander  and  Miller.  He  was  a  man  of  the  first 
order  of  talent,  and  as  a  preacher  was  extremely  elo- 
quent and  powerful,  chaining  the  attention  of  his  audi- 


210  HISTORY    OF    THE 

tory  from  the  first  words  which  dropped  from  his  lips, 
with  a  power  tliat  was  irresistible.  lie  remained  with 
this  people  six  years,  and  his  ministry  was  remarkably 
successful.  During  the  first  year  of  it,  there  was  a  pow- 
erful rev'ival  of  religion,  in  which  a  large  number  was 
gathered  into  the  cliurch ;  and  his  la1)ours  continued  to 
be  blessed,  with  numerous  additions  to  the  church, 
througliout  tlie  whole  period  of  his  ministry.  As  a 
controvei'sialist,  his  powers  were  eminent  and  remai-k- 
able,  and  he  grappled  with  the  prevalent  errors  of  his 
day,  with  a  boldness  and  success  that  marked  him  as 
no  ordinar}^  man,  and  inspired  even  his  opponents  with 
respect  and  fear.  During  the  period  of  his  ministry 
in  this  place,  the  celebrated  Quaker  preacher,  Elias 
Hicks,  the  founder  of  the  party  in  the  denomination  of 
the  Friends,  known  from  his  name  as  Hicksites — came 
to  Jamaica,  and  preached  at  Mr.  Hewlett  Creed's  Hotel, 
on  a  week  day.  Mr.,  now  Dr.  Weed  was  among  the 
nnmber  of  his  hearers ;  and  on  the  following  Sabbath, 
before  commencing  his  discourse,  he  apologized  to  his 
people  for  having  been  seen,  during  the  previous  week, 
among  those  who  had  been  attracted  to  listen  to  the 
preaching  of  a  man  known  to  be  of  such  loose  and  in- 
fidel sentiments  as  the  celebrated  Quaker.  He  said 
that  he  had  felt  it  his  duty  to  do  so,  in  order  that  hav- 
ing heard  with  his  own  ears,  he  might  the  better  be 
enabled  to  judge  of  the  man  and  his  teachings,  and  so 
to  warn  his  flock  of  the  danger  to  which  they  were 
exposed,  by  exposing  the  unscriptural  and  pernicious 
character  of  his  preaching.  He  then  j)roceeded  in  a 
most  powerful  discourse  to  refute  the  errors  of  Hicks, 
to  point  out  their  dangerous  tendency,  and  with  great 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  211 


boldness  and  ability,  to  warn  liis  flock  to  beware  of  the 
wolf  that  was  prowling  about  the  sheep-cote. 

"  Dr.  Weed  was  sncceeded  by  the  Rev.  Elias  W. 
Crane,  who  was  introduced  to  the  peoj)le  by  the  Hev. 
Dr.  ^N^ettleton,  and  who  received  a  unanimous  call.  He 
was  a  man  of  excellent  natural  abilities,  and  good 
learning.  As  a  preacher  he  was  earnest  and  faithful, 
— the  whole  burden  and  theme  of  his  discourses  being 
repentance  and  life  eternal.  As  a  pastor,  he  was  the 
most  beloved  of  men,  and  his  memorv  is  still  fraorrant 

•'  I/O 

and  fresh  in  the  hearts  of  those  who  knew  him  only  to 
love  him  ;  and  who  have  taught  their  children  upon 
whose  heads  his  hands  were  placed  in  baptism,  to 
revere  the  very  mention  of  his  name.  He  w^as  abundant 
in  labours,  never  tiring  in  the  performance  of  duty.  He 
had  a  pleasant  smile  and  a  kind  and  tender  word  for 
every  one  he  met.  None  were  beneath  his  notice.  As 
a  friend  he  was  tender,  kind-hearted,  warm  and  affec- 
tionate to  a  degree  seldom  equalled  and  never  sur- 
passed, among  the  sons  of  men.  His  ministry  was 
most  abundantly  blessed,  from  its  commencement  to 
its  termination,  with  large  accessions  to  the  church. 
Mr.  Crane  w^as  in  every  sense  and  point  of  view,  a 
boon  to  humanity,  claiming  most  eminent  gratitude  to 
God.     It  is  indeed  delightful  to  think  of  such  a  man." 


212  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTEE     YIII. 
1815-186Q. 

H.  R.  WEED  —  REMOVES  TO  ALBAXT  —  S.  P.  FUXCK  —  DISSEXSIOX  —  REV.  A.  XET- 
TLETOX  —  GREAT  REVIVAL  —  DISSEXSIOX  HEALED  —  MR.  XETTLETOX's  METHOD 
—  E.  W.  CRANE  —  HIS  USEFUL  MIXISTRT  —  DR.  MURRAY's  SKETCH  OF  HIM  — 
HIS  DEATH — J.  M.  MACDOXALD — THE  NEW  ERA  IN  THE  HISTORY  OP  THE 
CHURCH  UNDER  MR.  WEEd's  MINISTRY  —  THE  HIGHLY  PROSPEROUS  STATE  OF 
THE  CONGREGATION  IX  1841  —  INCIDENTS  IN  MR.  MACDONALd's  MINISTRY  — 
P.  D.  OAKEY. 

THE  Key. 
HENRY  R.  WEED,  D.  D., 

succeeded  Mr.  Faitoute.  lie  was  born  at  Ballston, 
graduated  at  Union  College  in  1812,  studied  Theology 
at  Princeton,  was  called  here  in  1815,  and  ordained  as 
pastor  January  4th,  1816.  Mr.  Weed  was  a  much  es- 
teemed minister.  His  labours  were  gi'eatly  blessed. 
An  extensive  revival  of  relio^ion  commenced  durinc:  the 
first  year  of  his  settlement,  as  the  blessed  fruit  of  which 
above  eighty  persons  were  added  to  the  communion  of 
the  church.  He  discountenanced  the  practice  of  fur- 
nishing ardent  spirits  at  funerals,  (it  was  the  custom 
to  serve  them  round  to  the  assembled  people,)  and  for 
many  years  this  practice  has  been  unknown.  He  also 
declined  to  baptise  the  children  of  parents,  not  in  full 
communion,  from  which  it  appears  that  a  contrary 
practice  had  prevailed.  In  1822,  his  pastoral  relation 
was   dissolved,    and   he  took  charge  of  a  church  in 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  213 

Albany.  Dr.  Weed  is  at  present  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian cliurch  at  Wheeling,  Ya.  His  ministry  here, 
as  will  be  shown  in  the  sequel,  was  the  beginning  of  a 
new  era  in  the  history  of  the  church.     The  Key. 

SEYMOUR  P.  FUNCK, 

who  graduated  at  Columbia  College  in  IS  19,  and 
studied  Theology  in  the  Seminary  of  the  Eeformed 
Dutch  Church,  at  New  Brunswick,  N".  J.,  was  the  next 
minister.  He  was  ordained  here  March  6th,  1823. 
Some  dissatisfaction  arising  in  the  congregation,  the 
pastoral  relation  was  dissolved.  May  9th,  1825,  and  he 
left  the  place,  carrying  with  him  the  warm  affection  of 
ardent  friends.  His  removal  was  the  occasion  of  a 
very  serious  dissension  in  the  congregation.  Mr. 
Funck  never  re-settled  in  the  ministry.  He  died, 
Aj)ril  3d,  1828,  aged  32,  and  was  buried  at  Flatlands. 
The  Eev.  Asahel  Nettleton,  D.  D.,  well  known  for 
his  eminently  useful  labours,  far  and  wide  in  the 
'churches,  was  in  the  providence  of  God  directed 
hither,  during  the  w^inter  of  1826,  when  the  congrega- 
tion was  in  a  very  divided  and  distracted  state.  He 
commenced  his  labours  on  the  2-lth  of  February,  and 
continued  them  till  the  following  I^ovember.  He  was 
in  a  feeble  state  of  health,  so  that  he  did  not  attend 
many  extra  meetings,  nor  spend  much  time  in  visiting. 
But  his  labours  were  remarkably  blessed.  On  the 
second  day  of  July,  the  Lord's  Supper  was  celebrated 
and  seventy-two  persons  were  added  to  the  church,  on 
profession ;  eighteen  were  baptized.  From  that  day 
the  revival  received  a  new  impulse.  It  was  often  ob- 
served, that  it  seemed  (so  great  was  the  solemnity)  like 


214:  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  Judgment  day.  A  number  of  strangers  visited 
the  town  and  went  home  rejoicing  in  hope.  So  many 
from  other  places  visited  him,  while  here,  that  Mr. 
Xettleton  thought  of  devoting  one  evening  in  the 
week  to  conversation  with  strangers. 

He  was  instrumental  in  liealing  the  divisions  of  the 
congregation.  It  is  said,  that  instead  of  exhorting  to 
brotherly  love,  and  descanting  on  the  evils  of  dissension 
as  had  been  the  uniform  practice  of  the  ministers  who 
were  sent  here  to  reconcile  the  parties,  he  ignored 
their  quarrels,  preached  on  the  claims  of  God,  the 
wickedness  of  the  human  heart,  and  the  duty  of  sin- 
ners, aiming  directly  at  the  conscience,  and  thus  brought 
them  to  look  inwardly,  instead  of  at  the  sins  of  one 
another.  In  his  sermons,  outlines,  and  plans  of  ser- 
mons, published  by  Dr.  Tyler,  in  1845,  may  be  found, 
it  is  presumed,  many  of  the  discourses  which  he 
preached  here  with  such  happy  eifect.  The  congrega- 
tion wished  him  to  take  the  pastoral  charge,  but  he  de- 
clined. He  departed  this  life  at  East  Windsor,  Conn.' 
in  January,  181:3.  His  memoirs  were  published  by 
Dr.  Tyler,  in  1844.     The  Eev. 

ELIAS  W.  CRA]S^E, 

was  born  at  Elizabethtown,  IS".  J.,  on  the  18th  of 
March,  1796.  "When  yet  a  boy  from  six  to  eight 
years  of  age,  he  was  serious  and  conscientious  in  his 
morning  and  evening  devotions."  "  His  serious  turn 
of  mind,  and  his  great  devotion  to  reading,  and  readi- 
ness of  acquisition,  led  his  parents  to  entertain  the 
idea  that  it  was  their  duty  to  give  him  a  collegiate 
education."     When  about  sixteen  years  of  age  he  en- 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CIlURCir,    JxVMAICA.  215 

tered  the  Junior  Class  in  Princeton  College,  wliere  lie 
graduated  in  September,  1814.  During  his  residence  in 
Morristown,  N.  J.,  while  engaged  in  the  business  of 
teaching,  he  made  a  public  profession  of  his  faith  in 
Christ,  and  attached  himself  to  the  church  in  that 
place,  then  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  McDowell, 
on  the  2d  day  of  March,  1816.  On  the  8th  of  October, 
1818,  by  the  Presbytery  of  Jersey  he  was  licensed  to 
preach  the  gospel.  December,  1819,  he  received  and 
accepted  a  call  from  the  church  at  Springfield,  ]^.  J., 
and  was  ordained  January  5th,  1820.  He  remained 
here  seven  years,  a  devoted  and  useful  pastor,  and  was 
permitted  to  rejoice  greatly  in  seeing  the  work  of  the 
Lord  prosper  in  his  hands.  In  the  year  1825  the  Lord 
poured  out  his  Spirit  on  that  people,  and  very  many 
were  brought  from  death  unto  life.  In  the  month  of 
May,  1825,  the  church  in  Jamaica  became  vacant  by 
the  removal  of  the  Pev.  Mr.  Funck  its  pastor.  Mr. 
Nettleton,  at  his  departure,  recommended  Mr.  Crane  to 
the  people  as  a  fit  person  to  become  their  pastor.  The 
great  blessing  he  was  made  to  this  peoj)le,  proves  the 
sagacity  of  Mr,  IST.  as  to  ministerial  character.  The 
pastoral  relation  of  Mr.  C.  to  the  church  of  Springfield 
was  dissolved,  and  he  Avas  dismissed  from  the  Presby- 
tery of  Elizabethtown  on  the  iTtli  October,  1826,  and 
on  the  31st  of  the  same  month  was,  by  the  Presbytery 
of  Kew  York,  installed  pastor  of  the  church  of  Jamaica. 
Jamaica  must  be  regarded  as  the  chief  scene  of  his 
usefulness.  Here  he  S]3ent  fourteen  years,  almost  the 
third  of  his  whole  life.  "  When  he  entered  this  field,'' 
remarks  Dr.  Murray,  in  a  sermon  preached  at  Elizabeth- 
town,  IN'ovember  29,  1840,  on  the  occasion  of  his  death. 


21G 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


and  from  wliicli  most  of  the  facts  concerning  Mr.  C. 
have  heen  derived,  "  the  cloud  of  mercj  was  withdraw- 
ing for  a  season,  but  spanned  with  the  bow  of  promise 
that  it  would  again  return  to  water  the  seed  he  was 
beginning  to  sow ;— when  called  away  in  the  midst  of 
his  labours,  the  same  cloud  was  retiring,  after  fulfill- 
ing all  the  hopes  it  had  once  inspired,  glittering  all 
over  with  the  same  bright  bow,  as  if  at  once  to  illume 
and  beautify  his  path  to  his  rest  and  his  reward.     A 
few  communions  before  his  departure,  it  was  his  priv- 
ilege and  joy  to  receive  nearly  eighty  into  the  church, 
and  among  them  three  of  his  own  children."    Mr.  C. 
was  affected  witli  a  disease,  not  unlike  the  asthma, 
whose  violent  and  frequent  attacks  admonished  him  as 
to  the  manner  of  his  departure.     But  he   continued 
cheerful  and  constant  in  the  discharge  of  his  official 
duties,  feeling  that  he  was  immortal  until  his  work 
was  done.     On  the  evening  of  his  decease,  and  but  a 
few  hours  previous  to  its  occurrence,  he  was  preaching 
in  a  private  house  in  a  distant  part  of  his  congregation 
and  exhorted  his  hearers  with  unusual  fervency  from 
the  text,  "But  now  they  desire  a  better  country,  that 
is,  an  heavenly."     The  services  were  concluded  by  the 
hymn,  the  last  he  ever  read  or  sang  on  earth : 

"  We've  no  abiding  city  here — 

This  may  distress  the  worldly  mind, 

But  should  not  cost  the  saint  a  tear, 
"Who  hopes  a  better  rest  to  find." 

After  the  services  were  over,  he  returned  to  the 
bosom  of  his  family.     Mrs.  C.  was  absent  on  a  visit  to 


PKESBYTEKIAN    CHUKCH,  JAI^IAICA.  21T 

a  sister  at  Norwich,  Conn.,  and  lie  had  made  ar- 
rangements to  leave  the  ensuing  morning  for  I^orwich 
for  the  purpose  of  accompanying  Mrs.  C.  to  her  home. 
The  family  had  all  retired  to  rest,  except  the  faithful 
domestic,  who  for  years  had  been  a  member  of  his 
household,  when  his  disease  fell  upon  him  w^ith  fatal 
violence.  Feeling,  after  a  few  struggles,  that  resist- 
ance was  hopeless,  he  committed  his  spirit,  his  wife, 
and  his  children  to  God,  and  laid  him  down  and  died, 
in  the  forty-fifth  year  of  his  life,  and  having  just  en- 
tered on  the  twenty-third  of  his  ministry.  He  was  cut 
down  like  a  tree  that  yielded  much  fruit,  and  that  w^as 
laden  with  blossoms,  even  in  its  fall." 

The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  beautiful  sketch 
given  of  his  character,  by  Dr.  Murray,  in  the  sermon 
before  alluded  to.     He  was  blessed  by  God  with  a 
natural  disposition  remarkable  for  its  amiability  and 
sweetness.     By  his  severe  trials  and  afflictions  this  dis- 
position was  never  soured  or  changed.     He  was  one  of 
the  most  desirable  friends  and  companions  we  have 
ever  known.     A  near  and  dear  relative  relates  that  for 
twenty  years,  she  never  saw  a  ruffle  upon  his  temper. 
And  all  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  can  say  that  they 
never  met  him    but  wdth  pleasure,   and  never  part- 
ed with  him  but  with  regret.     His  pleasant  and  cheer- 
ful smile  always  diffused  pleasure  around  him.     But  it 
w^as  religion  which  chiefly  gave  lustre  to  his  character. 
His  views  of  the  Avay  of  acceptance  with  God,  and  of 
the  great  doctrines  of  grace,  were  clear  and  distinct ; 
and  he  sought  consolation  more  from  resting  on  the 
great  principles  of  the  Gospel,  than  from  excited  feel- 
ing.    He  lived  in  the  constant  sense  of  God's  favour 
10 


218  HISTOEY    OF   THE 

and  acceptance,  and  seemed  to  have  little  else  to  do 
than  to  serve  God  with  all  his  might. 

His  character  as  a  preacher  and  pastor  has  been 
highly  appreciated.  It  was  never  his  ambition  to  se- 
cure the  fame  of  a  profound  scholar,  or  of  a  great  theo- 
logian, or  of  an  acute  controvertist ;  and  whilst  he  was 
a  good  scholar  and  a  sound  theologian,  and  carefully 
discriminated  between  truth  and  error,  his  great  object 
was  so  to  preach  Christ  as  to  lead  his  hearers  to  believe 
in  him.  We  have  never  heard  him  preach  a  sermon 
of  which  it  could  not  be  truly  said,  both  as  to  the  mat- 
ter and  manner,  that  it  w^as  a  sweet  savor  of  Christ, 
and  as  ointment  poured  forth.  His  qualifications  as  a 
pastor  very  far  surpassed  those  of  many  of  his  brethren. 
It  was  to  him  a  pleasure,  instead  of  a  cross,  to  mingle 
w^ith  his  people ;  and  so  frank  and  winning  were  his 
ways,  that  without  repelling  any,  he  attracted  all  to 
himself.  His  was  an  uncommonly  sympathizing  heart. 
Whilst,  as  a  mere  preacher,  he  has  left  behind  him 
some  superiors,  and  many  equals;  yet,  when  we  re- 
gard him  as  a  preacher  and  pastor,  he  has  left  behind 
him  no  superior,  and  but  very  few  equals.  In  these 
respects  the  church  has  lost  one  of  her  best  models. 

Mr.  Crane  departed  this  life  on  the  lOili  da}^  of  No- 
vember, 184:0.  His  funeral  was  attended  on  the  14th, 
by  a  large  concourse  of  people,  who  listened  to  an  ap- 
propriate discourse  by  the  Rev.  John  Goldsmith,  D.  D., 
from  Phil.  i.  21 :  "  For  me  to  live,"  &c.     The 

REV.    JAMES    M.    MACDONALD 

was  installed  May  5th,  1841.  Hev.  Dr.  Spring  preach- 
ed from  1  Pet.  iii.  15  ;  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Goldsmith,  of 


PKESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  219 

I^ewtown,  gave  the  charge  to  the  minister,  and  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Jacobus,  of  Brooklyn,  now  professor  in  the 
Western  Theological  Seminary,  at  Allegheny,  Penn- 
sylvania, the  charge  to  the  people.  On  the  16th  of 
April,  1850,  his  pastoral  relation  to  the  church  was  dis- 
solved, and  the  Presbytery,  on  the  28th  of  the  same 
month,  installed  him  pastor  of  the  Fifteenth  Street 
Church  in  New  York.  From  his  farewell  address  at 
Jamaica,  delivered  April  21st,  the  following  summary 
is  derived : 

Perhaps  days  of  as  great  spiritual  prosperity  as  this 
church  has  ever  known,  have  occurred  since  1815. 
That  year  may,  in  some  sense,  be  regarded  as  beginning 
a  new  era  in  its  history.  Previous  to  that  date  there 
are  not  wanting  instances  in  which  the  Spirit  appears 
to  have  been  poured  out  with  considerable  power,  as 
for  example  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Cross,  and  again 
during  that  of  Mr.  Wilmot,  and  again  of  Mr.  Mills. 
But  previous  to  the  year  1815,  the  number  of  commun- 
icants does  not  appear,  at  any  time,  to  have  been  large. 
In  comparison  with  the  number  of  families  in  the  con- 
gregation, the  number  of  communicants  was  small.  In 
1762,  before  the  revival  which  occurred  in  Mr.  Mills's 
day,  there  were  but  twelve.  In  1793,  there  were  but 
iifty-eight.  In  1807,  there  were  fifty  three.  But  soon 
after  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Weed  there  was  a  special 
work  of  grace  among  the  people,  as  the  result  of  which 
about  sixty  were  added  to  the  communion  of  the 
church.  In  1822,  the  year  in  which  Dr.  Weed  left,  the 
number  of  communicants  had  increased  to  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety-three.  In  1827,  following  the  revival 
under  Dr.  ITettleton,  there  were  reported  to  Presbytery 


220  HISTORY   OF   THE 

two  hundred  and  sixty-three  communicants.  In  1831, 
God  so  smiled  on  the  ministrations  of  Mr.  Crane  tliat 
over  seventy  were  admitted  to  the  communion,  on  pro- 
fession of  their  faith.  The  church  continued  to  increase 
by  more  gradual  additions  until  1839,  about  a  year  be- 
fore Mr.  Crane's  death,  wdien  nearly  eighty  were  re- 
ceived into  its  communion.  The  number  reported  to 
the  Presbytery  in  1841,  the  spring  following  Mr.  C.'s 
decease,  was  three  hundred  and  eighty,  making  an  in- 
crease of  three  hundred  and  twenty-seven  from  the 
time  of  Mr.  Weed's  accession  to  the  pastorship,  and  of 
one  hundred  and  seventeen  from  the  time  of  Mr. 
Crane's.  This,  however,  only  shows  the  number  that 
remained,  after  deducting  removals  by  death,  dismis- 
sions to  other  churches,  and  otherwise.  Durino;  Mr. 
Crane's  ministry  there  were  four  hundred  received  on 
confession  and  by  certificate,  and  from  the  beginning 
of  Mr.  Weed's  ministry  to  the  close  of  Mr.  Crane's, 
about  six  hundred. 

The  above  statistics  serve  to  show  the  highly  pros- 
perous state  of  this  church  of  Christ  at  the  opening  of 
the  pastorate  which  had  its  commencement  in  the 
spring  of  1811.  Of  the  one  hundred  and  seventy  or 
eighty  families  in  the  congregation,  there  were  not 
more  than  ten  or  twelve,  at  the  most,  the  heads  of 
which  were  not  in  communion  with  the  church ;  and  a 
very  large  proportion  of  the  youth  were  also  members 
of  the  church.  The  average  age  of  the  seventy-six  re- 
ceived at  the  June  communion  in  1839,  was  less  than 
twenty  years.  But  God's  gracious  favour  was  so  far  con- 
tinued during  this  pastorate,  that  an  average  of  more 
than  seventeen  were  annually  received  to  its  member- 


PEESBYTEKIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  221 

ship.  The  largest  number  in  any  single  year  was  in 
184:5,  when  nearly  sixty  were  received,  forty-four  of 
them  on  profession  of  their  faith.  Again,  in  1847,  the 
Lord  granted  some  refreshing  from  his  presence,  and 
thirty-six  were  added  during  that  year,  mostly  on  pro- 
fession. The  congregation  considerably  increased.  The 
few  vacant  pews  found  at  its  beginning  were  filled  up ; 
and,  in  consequence  of  the  demand  for  more,  the 
church  was  enlarged,  and  the  number  of  pews,  includ- 
ing those  in  the  galleries  (which  were  to  a  considerable 
extent  rented)  increased  to  one  hundred  and  forty -four. 
These  were  soon  all  taken,  and  again  applications  for 
more  could  not  be  granted.  The  charitable  collections 
averaged  not  far  from  six  hundred  dollars  per  annum- 
The  rite  of  baptism  was  administered  to  one  hundred 
and  seventy-six  persons,  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  them 
being  infanta;  and  eighty-eight  marriages  were  solem- 
nized. "  I  suppose  I  have  preached,"  the  address  pro- 
ceeds, "on  an  average,  more  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  times  every  year  of  my  ministry  among  you.  I 
remember  that  I  have  officiated  at  about  one  hundred 
and  sevent}^  funerals,  preaching  in  almost  every  in- 
stance. How  often  have  we  stood  together  beside  the 
infant's  grave,  and  from  that  point  sought  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  the  glory  to  which  they  had  been  taken  !  I 
do  not  forget  the  sympathy  I  received  from  you  in 
those  bereavements  which  it  pleased  the  Judge  of  all 
the  earth  to  bring  upon  my  own  family.  I  have  gone 
with  the  aged,  as  they  approached  the  banks  of  Jordan. 
Three  of  them  were  over  ninety  years  of  age ;  seven 
between  eighty  and  ninety ;  and  eight  or  ten  between 
seventy  and   eighty.     Over  thirty  were  the  victims  of 


222  HISTORY   OF   THE 

consumption.  Several  were  strangers  at  Jamaica. 
One*  was  instantly  killed  by  a  fall  from  his  wagon, 
and  crushed  beneath  the  wheels.  Another,f  a  mother 
in  Israel,  met  her  Saviour  in  the  waters  of  the  Hudson, 
when  the  steamboat  Swallow  perished.  One  made  a 
profession  of  her  faith  in  Christ  at  the  communion  be- 
fore her  death,  being  then  in  blooming  health.  One 
died  at  the  Asylum  for  the  Insane.  One  was  a  man 
who  had  been  a  great  opposer  to  religion  in  health,  and 
whom  I  never  saw  in  the  house  of  God,  who  was  peni- 
tent and  heart-broken  in  his  last  sickness.  One  was  a 
young  man  who,  in  a  few  days  over  a  year,  followed 
his  young  wife  to  the  grave.  A  sprightly  child  of  pa- 
rents in  humble  life  was  drowned  in  a  tub  by  the  door 
side.  One  had  been  a  communicant  in  this  church 
sixty  years,:]:  and  in  her  old  age  was  a  model  of  intelli- 
gent and  cheerful  piety.  Another,§  a  wife  and  mother, 
lingering  with  consumption,  said  of  a  winter  during 
which  she  was  wholly  confined  to  the  house  and  hardly 
expected  to  see  the  spring,  that  it  had  been  the  happi- 
est portion  of  her  life.  Another  was  an  excellent 
man,!  whose  snow-white  locks  and  peculiarly  beseech- 
ing tones  in  prayer  cannot  soon  be  forgotten,  who  be- 
ing overtaken  with  sudden  sickness  and  told  only  two 
hours  before  his  departure  that  his  end  was  at  hand, 
was  as  undisturbed  as  if  it  was  only  a  journey  on  which 
he  was  to  start,  for  which  he  had  been  preparing  for 
many  weeks.  And  another  was  a  man^  of  vigorous 
intellect  and  earnest  piety,  whose  heaviest  sorrow  seem- 

*  Mr.  James  Baylis.  f  Mrs.  Ann  Lamberson. 

X  Mrs.  Abigail  Carpenter.  §  Mrs.  Huutting. 

II  John  Rhoades.  T[  Nicholas  Smith. 


PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,  JAIVIAICA.  223 

ed  to  fall  upon  liim  after  his  frame  had  been  weakened 

and  bowed  down  by  years  of  sickness,  but  whose  faith 

failed  not." 

*  *  «.  *  *  -x- 

"  I  have  it  to  mention,  to  the  glory  of  the  God  of 
grace,  that  during  the  whole  nine  years  of  my  connec- 
tion with  you,  there  has  been  nothing  to  disturb  the 
harmony  of  the  congregation,  or  the  kind  feeling  that 
has  existed  from  the  beginning  between  the  people 
and  minister.  I  know  not  that  there  is  a  single  mem- 
ber of  this  congregation,  and  I  may  add  of  this  com- 
munity, who  has  ever  sought,  by  word  or  deed,  to 
injure  me.  I  have  endeavoured  to  live  in  charity  with 
all  men,  and,  w^itli  scarcely  an  exception,  have  tmet 
with  like  in  spirit  on  the  part  of  others.  I  have 
formed  many  Christian  friendships  here,  which  I  do 
not  think  any  thing  can  essentially  impair,  and  which 
it  comforts  me  to  hope  shall  be  continued  and  perfected 
in  heaven.  I  am  bidding  adieu  to  a  scene  where  God 
has  graciously  condescended  to  honour  me  infinitely 
beyond  my  deserts,  and  where,  with  many  afflictions, 
I  have  also  had  many  sources  of  happiness  opened 
to  me.  I  have  full  confidence  that  that  God  who 
planted  this  goodly  vine  in  the  wilderness,  and  has 
watched  over  it  now,  for  nearly  two  hundred  years, 
will  continue  to  watch  over  it,  and  make  it  even  more 
fruitful ;  that  he  will  send  you  another  minister,  and  I 
pray  that  he  may  be  made  more  honoured  and  success- 
ful than  any  of  his  predecessors.  Finally,  brethren, 
farewell.  Be  perfect,  be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one 
mind,  live  in  peace  ;  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace 
shall  be  with  you." 


224  HISTOEY   OF   THE 

More  than  twenty  ministers  preceded  the  writer 
here,  the  greater  number  of  them  pastors ;  and  but 
one  of  them  survives.  From  time  to  time  they  have 
fallen,  nearly  every  one  of  them,  at  some  post  of  use- 
fulness, faithful  to  their  character  and  office,  to  the 
last.  Six  of  them  died  during  their  pastoral  connect io:i 
with  the  church  at  Jamaica ;  five  of  them  lie  buried 
with  their  people ;  five  of  them  made  a  sudden  exit, 
three  of  them  having  preached  on  the  very  day  of  their 
death.     The  Eev. 

PETER  D.  OAKEY 

was  born  at  ISTew  Brimswick,  ^.  J.,  June  22d,  1816. 
He  united  Avith  the  First  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
September,  1830,  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
Eev.  Jacob  J.  Janewav,  D.  D.  Graduating:  at  Euto:ers 
College  in  1841,  and  completing  his  theological  course 
at  the  Seminary  in  New  Brunswick  in  1844,  he  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  Eeformed  Dutch 
Church,  Oyster  Bay,  in  September  of  the  same  year. 
He  resigned  his  charge  at  Oyster  Bay,  having  been 
called  to  the  Middle  Eeformed  Dutch  Church,  Brook- 
lyn, over  which  he  was  installed  in  March,  1847.  He 
was  installed  over  the  church  in  Jamaica,  May  25th, 
1850,  having  been  unanimously  called  almost  immed- 
iately after  the  pastoral  relation  of  his  predecessor  was 
dissolved.*  That  pastorate  ceased  on  the  16th  of  April ; 
he  entered  on  his  the  following  month — a  striking  evi- 
dence of  the  harmony  and  healthful  condition  of  the 
congregation.     Mr.  Oakey's  ministry,  before  he  came 

*  The  Rev.  J.  D.  Wells  preached  from  Jer.  iii.  15  ;  Rev.  N.  C.  Locke 
gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor;  and  Rev.  J.  M.  Macdonald  the  charge  to  the 
congregation. 


PKESBYTEEIAN   CIIUKCir,    JAMAICA.  225 

to  Jamaica,  had  been  marked  with  signal  success.  He 
took  charge  in  Brooklyn  of  an  infant  chnrch,  having 
20  members ;  at  his  departure,  after  three  years,  the 
church  had  increased  to  150  members.  Mr.  Oakey's 
ministry  at  Jamaica  has  been  blessed  to  the  edification 
of  the  church,  and  a  steady  annual  addition  to  the 
number  of  its  communicants.  He,  too,  bears  testimony 
to  the  uniform  kindness  of  the  people  to  himself  and 
his  family.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  his  tenth 
anniversary  sermon,  preached  May,  1860,  taken  from 
the  Long  Islarid  Farmer^  of  that  date : 

"There  have  been  added  to  the  church,  during  the 
past  ten  years,  179  members.  There  have  been  135 
baptisms.  The  Pastor  has  solemnized  the  rite  of 
marriage  98  times,  and  officiated  at  270  funerals.  He 
has  delivered,  during  the  ten  years,  about  2,000  ser- 
mons and  other  religious  discourses.  Of  the  whole 
number  of  communicants,  but  49  have  died  during 
the  period.  Of  this  number  several  were  over  90 
years  of  age ;  6  over  80  years ;  22  over  70 ;  31  over 
60 ;  leaving  but  18  under  60  years  of  age ;  of  these 
but  four  were  under  35  years." 
10* 


226  HISTORY    OF   THE 


CHAPTEE     IX. 

STATISTICS  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN'  THE  UNITED  STATES  —  INFLU 
ENCE  OF  A  SINGLE  CHURCH  —  MEN  DIE,  TRUTH  ENDURES — THE  LIFE  OP 
SOCIETY  —  ERROR  AND  SIN  TRANSMITTED  —  LOSSES  AND  GAINS,  OR  THE  TRAN- 
SCIENT  AND  PERMANENT  IN  HISTORY  —  SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES  —  THE  MISSION- 
ARY SPIRIT  OF  RICHARD  BAXTER  —  HOPE  FOR  OUR  COUNTRY  IN  ITS  PRESENT 
TRIALS — PRINCIPLES  RECEIVED  FROM  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  FATHERS  —  LOY- 
ALTY—  RELIGIOUS  INSTRUCTION  OF  YOUTH — FREEDOM  OF  CONSCIENCE  — 
CHOICE  OF  RULERS  —  HOW  WE  MAY  BEST  SERVE  THE  FUTURE  —  KING  DAVID 
—  ABEL — THE  CHAIN  OF  EXPERIENCE —  MR.  AMOS  DENTON  —  FAITH  AND 
PRAYER. 

I'N  concluding  this  volume,  it  will  be  proper  to  glance 
at  what  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  its  several 
branches  has  become,  in  this  country,  since  the  church 
whose  history  has  been  sketched  in  the  preceding 
pages,  was  established ;  and  at  the  duty  imposed  on 
those  who  are  charged  with  the  conservation  and  dis- 
semmation  of  the  principles  maintained  at  such  cost, 
in  a  former  age. 

In  the  United  States  there  are  now  more  than  -Q.ye 
thousand  five  hundred  Presbyterian  ministers,  without 
including  those  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  ;  more 
than  eight  thousand  churches ;  and  more  than  seven 
hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  communicants  ; — 
being  considerably  more  than  double  the  number  of 
communicants,  churches  and  ministers  in  the  several 


PKESBYTERIAN   CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  227 

branclies  of  the  Presbyterian  Cliurclies  in  Great 
Britain  and  her  Provinces.*  In  the  branch  of  the 
church,  known  as  old- school,  there  are,  according  to 
the  last  reports  to  the  General  Assembly,  two  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  sixty-seven  ministers,  five  hundred 
and  forty-five  candidates  for  the  ministry,  three  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  eighty-four  churches,  haying 
more  than  three  hundred  thousand  communicants.  In 
the  branch,  known  as  new-school,  there  are  one  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  fifty  ministers,  two  hundred 
and  eighty  candidates,  one  thousand  four  hundred  and 
seventy-eight  churches,  with  nearly  one  hundred  and 
thirty-five  thousand  communicants.  The  Presbyterians 
have  church  property  of  larger  value  than  any  other 
denomination — the  Methodists  excepted,  the  two  being 
very  nearly  equal  in  amount,  it  being,  according  to 
the  census  returns  of  the  United  States  in  1850,  more 
than  fourteen  millions  and  a  half,  and  furnishing  one 
church  for  every  4,769  of  the  total  population.  The 
educational  interests  of  the  country,  in  the  higher  sem- 
inaries of  learning,  have  to  a  large  extent  been  in  the 
hands  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  her  ministers. 

Of  course  it  is  impossible  to  estimate  correctly  the 
influence  of  a  single  church,  however  clearly  may  be- 
long to  it  the  honour  of  being  the  first  of  its  own  name, 
established  in  the  country,  in  laying  the  foundations  of 
that  which  has  grown  into  so  vast  a  superstructure.  It 
is  difficult,  indeed,  to  trace  the  influence,  in  promoting 
true  religion,  of  the  church  at  Jamaica,  in  this  its  own 
peculiar  fields.  ^Numerous  evangelical  churches  have 
grown  up  around  it,  several  of  them,  for  more  than  a 

*  Wilson's  Almanac  for  1860. 


228  HISTOKY   OF   THE 

century,  sharing  with  it  in  Christian  lal)ours.  Large 
Presbyteries  now  occupy  the  territory,  including  the 
two  great  cities  adjacent,  where  there  was  not  a  single 
church  of  the  Presbyterian  name  at  the  time  religious 
worship  was  commenced  in  this  place.  Kor  is  it  much 
easier  to  estimate  the  amount  of  good  done  when  we 
limit  our  view  to  the  confines  of  the  congi'egation 
itself. 

Godly  men,  one  generation  after  another,  who  la- 
boured for  the  establishment  and  preservation  of  this 
church,  have  passed  away,  but  the  church  remains. 
Truth  and  righteousness  did  not  take  their  departure 
from  the  earth  with  those  who  loved  and  defended 
them  in  the  past.  The  same  great  fundamental  prin- 
ciples which  were  so  dear  to  holy  patriarchs,  prophets, 
apostles,  and  our  j^ious  forefathers  are  in  the  custody  of 
their  successors  in  the  faith.  The  same  faith  by  which 
Abraham  was  justified,  justifies  ev^ery  believer.  The 
law  of  the  ten  commandments,  which  came  by  Moses, 
is  the  law  of  the  Christian  Church.  Even  that  knowl- 
edge, which  is  the  result  of  experience,  is  not  entirely 
lost,  but  has  been  transmitted  in  institutions,  customs 
and  laws ;  or  stands  recorded  for  our  instruction  in  hu- 
man biography.  Society,  like  the  individuals  of  which 
it  is  composed,  has  its  own  peculiar  life  and  growth, 
which  goes  on,  whilst  one  generation  passeth  away,  and 
another  cometh.  JSTo  gulf  ever  divides  one  generation 
from  its  predecessors,  or  from  those  which  follow  it. 
Tlie  isolation  of  any  single  one,  except  by  a  mere  form 
or  figure  of  speech,  is  impossible.  They  may  be  dis- 
tinct links,  yet  they  belong  to  one  great  chain,  stretch- 
ino*  across  the  aofes,  and  transmit  from  one  to  another 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,  JAMAICA.  229 


a  subtle  and  powerful  influence.  The  coming  one  im- 
bibes the  life,  and  puts  on  the  growth  of  that  which  is 
passing  away  before  it  wdiolly  disappears. 

Not  only  truth  and  righteousness,  but  error  and  sin, 
are  transmitted  from  one  generation  to  another.  If  the 
evil  which  men  do  died  with  them,  long  since  would 
the  fountain  of  supply  have  been  exhausted,  and  the 
moral  desert  would  be  now  blooming  as  the  rose. 
Error  survives,  because  of  the  deceivable  character  of 
man,  and  the  imperfection  of  his  teachers.  It  is  truth 
misconceived ;  or,  it  is  truth  perverted  ;  or,  it  is  truth 
absolutely  denied  ;  and,  because  of  this  necessary  rela- 
tion to  truth,  it  lives  and  will  live,  until  the  deceiver 
shall  cease  to  employ  it,  or  those  who  have  been  his 
dupes,  shall  be  secured  against  his  wiles.  Let  it  not 
be  supposed  that  the  highest  civilization  of  itself  can 
ever  expel  error  from  among  men,  or  withstand  the 
corruption  of  the  human  heart.  A  Divine  power  and 
instrumentality  are  requisite  for  this  great  Avork.  Just 
as  Christianity,  in  the  purity  of  its  doctrines,  and  lives 
of  its  disciples,  is  brought  to  bear  on  the  mass  of  evil 
in  human  society,  will  the  work  of  exterminating  it 
advance.  And  here,  too,  let  us  thankfully  acknowd- 
edge  the  progress  which  has  been  made.  The  light 
w^hich  began  to  shine  on  the  hill  of  Zion,  more  than 
eighteen  hundred  years  ago,  already  shines  with  glad- 
dening beams  on  many  lands,  giving  joyful  presage 
that  it  will  yet  penetrate  all  the  dark  j)laces,  and  fill 
the  earth  with  glory. 

This  view  of  losses  and  gains,  as  exhibited  by  a 
study  of  the  past,  is  suited  to  check  vanity,  whilst 
it  forbids  despair.      If  we  have  any  advantage  over 


230  HISTORY   OF   THE 

those  wlio  have  gone  before  us,  it  is  because  we  come 
after  them.  They  have  removed  obstacles  out  of  our 
path.  If  we  had  to  contend  with  their  difficulties,  W' e 
should  accomplish  no  more,  peradventure,  not  so  much 
as  they.  If  we  had  lived  when  they  did,  we  should 
have  been  the  slaves  of  their  ignorance  and  prejudices; 
no  more  enlightened  and  charitable  than  they.  We 
are  to  take  into  consideration  the  age  in  which  they 
lived,  and  judge  them  by  their  light,  not  ours.  Can 
we  hope  to  equal  the  greatness  of  their  efforts  in  the 
difficulties  they  encountered,  in  contending  with  the 
difficulties  that  meet  us,  and  in  removing  them  out  of 
the  way  of  those  who  shall  come  after  us  ? 

We  might  w^ell  despair,  wlien  taking  into  account 
the  slow  progress  which  has  been  made  for  so  many 
generations,  if  the  entire  work  of  bringing  the  world 
to  the  point  where  it  now  stands,  had  been  committed 
to  any  single  one  of  them  ;  as  we  should  certainly  be 
presumptuous,  if  we  supposed  that  all  which  remains 
to  be  accomplished  has  been  committed  to  the  one 
now  on  the  stage.  Each  one  has  its  allotted  work;  and 
if  we  perform  not  ours,  we  may  fall  far  behind  many 
that  have  gone  before  us. 

The  period  in  which  we  live  has  been  thought,  by 
some  profound  minds,  to  belong  to  an  era  which  bears 
''  marks  of  the  fulness  of  time,"  as  if  there  could  be 
no  great  future  beyond  it,  except  that  glorious  con- 
summation to  w^hich  Prophecy  has  long  pointed,  and 
the  Gospel  so  clearly  tends.  The  ancient  world  lacked 
that  perfection  of  moral  and  spiritual  truth  with  which 
the  Gospel  has  furnished  us.  The  providence  of  God 
has  opened  to  us  doors  which  were  effectually  barred 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH,    JAMAICA.  231 

and  sealed  against  our  fathers  of  two  hundred  years 
ao-o.  "  Could  we  but  go  among  Tartars,  Turks,  and 
heathens,"  says  Eichard  Baxter,  in  his  personal  Narra- 
tive, "  and  speak  their  language,  I  should  be  but  little 
troubled  for  the  silencing  of  eighteen  hundred  ministers 
at  once  in  England,  nor  for  all  the  rest  that  were  cast 
out  here,  and  in  Scotland  and  Ireland  ;  there  being  no 
employment  in  the  world  so  desirable  in  my  eyes  as 
to  labour  for  the  winning  of  such  miserable  souls; 
which  maketh  me  greatly  honour  Mr.  John  Eliot, 
the  apostle  of  the  Indians  in  Kew  England,  and 
whoever  else  have  laboured  in  such  work."*  Look  in 
whatever  quarter  we  may,  we  not  only  descry  doors 
wide  and  effectually  opened,  but  the  nations  that  are 
without  the  Gospel,  effete ;  and  we  descry  no  gifted  race 
which  seems  endued  with  power  to  impress  new  ele- 
ments on  the  history  of  the  world.  Christian  nations 
must  be,  as  has  been  said,  ''the  last  reserve  of  the 
world "  to  do  God's  work.  And  because  it  is  God's 
work,  and  because  they  are  in  possession  of  the  truth, 
as  it  is  in  his  Son,  the  truth  w^hich  makes  men  free,  it 
shall  be  done.  We  have  not  the  least  ground  for  des- 
pondency, as  to  the  final  result.  The  delays  and 
defeats,  which  vex  us,  are  but  a  temporary  adjourn- 
ment, or  perhaps  the  mysterious  means  employed  for 
the  hastening  on  of  the  day  of  promised  peace  and 
rest. 

The  trials,  through  which  the  Christian  nation,  to 
which  we  belong,  is  now  passing,  should  be  looked 
upon  hopefully,  rather  than  in  the  spirit  of  dejection. 

*  Narrative  Part  I.  conclusion ;  written  1664. 


232  HISTORY    OF   THE 

Considering  the  long  period  during  which  God  kept 
this  great  continent  hidden  from  the  rest  of  the  world, 
and  how  it  was  opened  just  as  soon  as  it  was  ready  for 
occupation,  and  there  were  men  ready  to  occupy  it ; 
and  how  the  most  enlightened  kingdoms  were  sifted, 
for  the  precious  seed  with  which  to  sow  the  virgin  soil, 
we  can  not  yield  to  the  fear  that  He  is  about,  at  so 
early  a  stage  in  its  history,  to  give  the  nation  np  to 
destruction.  If  the  shadow  upon  the  dial  of  our  pro- 
gress has  seemed  of  late  to  be  going  back,*  we  can 
not  believe  it  is  the  symbol  of  approaching  dissolution, 
but  rather  of  a  prolonged  and  useful  existence.  The 
civil  wars  in  England,  two  centuries  ago,  involved 
sufferings  of  which  the  bloody  pages  of  its  history  can 
give  us  but  a  feeble  idea ;  they  ended  in  the  beneficent 
revolution  of  1688,  deciding  the  struggle  which  had 
been  kept  up,  for  weary  ages,  between  the  monarchical 
and  popular  elements,  in  favour  of  the  latter.  God  is 
sorely  chastening  us ;  but  what  son  is  there  whom  the 
Father  chasteneth  not?  What  greatness  or  eminent 
virtue  is  to  be  attained  by  individuals  or  nations,  ex- 
cept in  the  school  of  afliiction  ?  May  He  grant  that 
our  present  grievous  troubles,  like  the  afflictions  of  his 
own  children,  shall  prove  to  be  not  judgments  but 
chastisements,  which  afterwards  yield  the  peaceable 
fruit  of  righteousness ! 

But  it  merits  our  most  serious  inquiry  what  it  is  we 
have  received  from  the  past,  worthy  to  be  transmitted 
to  those  who  are  to  come  after  us ;  what  it  is  we  have 
been  put  in  charge  of  specially  for  the  future.     We 

*  II  Kings  XX.  9-11. 


PRESBYTERIAN    CHrRCH,  JAMAICA.  233 


have  inherited  something  more  than  the  estates  of  the 
dead — the  houses  they  built,  the  acres  they  cultivated 
— to  wit,  the  jprinciples  they  defended^  and  the  iininu- 
nities  and  privileges^  which  it  cost  them  untold  lahoiirs 
and  sufferings  to  wring  from  the  grasp  of  Tyranny. 
The  measure  of  our  indebtedness  to  them  is  the  measure 
of  our  obligation  to  hand  down  the  legacy  we  have 
received,  to  those  who  have  in  it  an  equal  heirship  with 
ourselves. 

What  have  we  received  from  our  Presbyterian 
fathers  ?  We  have  received  the  principles  of  loyalty 
to  the  civil  government.  They  even  sustained  a  gov- 
ernment which  oppressed  them.  They  were  opposed 
to  the  violent  measures  which  resulted  in  the  execution 
of  the  first  Charles,  and  were  in  favour  of  the  restora- 
tion of  the  second.  They  were  opposed  to  the  usurpa- 
tions of  the  military  power  and  the  Protector.  They 
were  opposed  to  whatever  was  in  contravention  of  the 
fundamental  law  of  the  land,  whether  it  appeared 
in  the  Charleses  or  Cromwell.  They  were  support- 
ers of  the  government  under  the  ancient  con- 
stitution of  the  land.  Whilst  they  were  ready  to 
yield  to  the  civil  authority  all  due  honour  and  sub- 
mission, in  matters  temporal,  in  aifairs  concerning 
the  commonwealth,  they  claimed  the  privilege  of 
choosing  their  own  ministers,  and  demanded  that  they 
should  be  ordained  by  their  own  acknowledged  spirit- 
tual  rulers ;  and  persisted  in  their  claim  and  demand 
in  spite  of  disabilities,  confiscations,  and  the  sword. 
If  we  would  prove  ourselves  worthy  scions  of  such  a 
stock,  we  must  never  relinquish  Christ's  headship  in 
the  church ;  and  in  the  State,  we  must  abide  firmly  by 


234  HISTORY    OF   THE 

the  Constitution,  in  all  its  parts,  and  the  government 
administered,  according  to  its  provisions. 

" Think  well  throusli  whom 


Your  life-blood  tracks  its  parent  lake." 

The  strictest  discipline  in  morals^  and  religions  in- 
struction of  youth ^  was  another  of  the  principles  of  our 
forefathers.  The  Bible  and  the  Catechism  were  em- 
ployed in  the  family  and  in  the  school,  as  well  as  in  the 
house  of  God,  to  impress  on  the  minds  of  their  children 
the  principles  which  should  govern  their  conduct  to- 
wards God  and  man.  These  principles,  submission  to 
the  powers  that  be  in  the  state,  freedom  of  conscience, 
the  choice  of  rulers  by  the  suffrage  of  the  people,  were 
transplanted  by  them  to  this  land.  They  were  admira- 
bly qualified  by  their  love  of  liberty,  their  respect  for 
law,  and  their  fear  of  God,  to  lay  the  foundations  of 
empire.  May  we,  their  descendants,  be  faithful  to  the 
trust  committed  to  us,  and  deliver  it  unimpaired  to  the 
rightful  heirs !  They  lived  in  times  of  civil  commo- 
tion, but  their  spirit  of  uncharitable  dogmatism  and  in- 
tolerance, which  was  the  spirit  of  the  age  they  lived  in, 
has  passed  away.  God  forbid  that,  in  these  dark  and 
bitter  times  which  have  come  upon  us,  that  fell  spirit 
should  be  revived  !  Let  us  abhor  that  which  was  evil 
in  them,  whilst  we  cleave  to  that  which  was  good. 

In  fine,  if  we  would  know  how  best  to  serve  the  fu- 
ture, it  is  by  serving  our  own  generation  well.  In  cast, 
ing  ourselves  forward,  to  live  for  posterit}^,  it  is  not  ne- 
cessary to  lose  sight  of  the  present  interests  of  the 
world.  We  are  not  to  "  stop,"  as  has  been  said  "  to 
dry  up  the  fluids  of  present  vitality,  that  we  may  em- 


PKESBYTEEIAN    CHUKCH,  JAMAICA.  235 

balm  ourselves  as  mummies  for  posterity ;  yet  wliilst 
striving  chiefly  to  act  in  the  present,  we  should  draw 
our  bow  with  such  tension  as  to  strike  within  the  veil 
of  the  great  hereafter."  Let  our  plans  be  for  immedi- 
ate, and  if  well  devised,  they  will  be  for  prospective 
usefulness.  ]S^o  man  ever  did  better  for  men,  in  all 
time,  than  that  Prince  and  Psalmist  of  Israel,  the 
psalmist  of  God's  people,  of  every  name,  of  every  suc- 
ceeding age,  in  every  land,  who,  "  after  he  had  served 
his  own  generation,  by  the  w^ill  of  God,  fell  on  sleep." 
His  tongue  was  silenced,  and  his  right  hand  forgot  its 
cunning,  when  the  sleep  of  death  fell  on  him  ;  but  his 
songs  are  echoed  and  re-echoed,  and  will  continue  to 
be,  until  they  mingle  with  the  hymns  of  the  millennial 
morning.  It  is  said  of  the  very  first  one  of  our  race 
who  died,  that  he  "  yet  speaketh."  His  voice  comes 
sounding  to  us  across  the  abysm  of  the  past,  telling  us 
not  so  to  magnify  the  present  as  to  lose  sight  of  the  fu- 
ture, and  commending  to  us  that  faith  which,  gives  a 
present  realization  to  things  hoped  for,  and  demonstra- 
tion of  things  not  seen.  It  enabled  him  to  seize  hold 
of  that  great  sacrifice  to  be  made  for  sin  in  the  distant 
future,  of  which  the  blood  that  stained  his  own  altar 
was  the  type. 

It  is  by  this  faith  we  may  link  ourselves  to  the  gi- 
gantic chain  of  the  experience  of  thousands  of  years. 
For  it  begets  in  all  who  possess  it,  like  courage  and 
hope,  and  leads  to  a  deportment  corresponding  to  the 
great  and  solemn  revelations  which  are  addressed  to 
the  understanding  and  the  heart. 

It  constrains  to  a  course  of  conduct  which  speaks 
after  death  has  palsied  our  tongues  and  done  its  work 


236  msTOEY  OF  the 

on  our  poor  bodies.  The  writer  can  truly  say,  and 
has  often  been  constrained  to  say,  tliat  he  never  saw 
the  life  of  faith  more  beautifully  exhibited  than  it 
was  in  Mk.  Denton,  a  former  elder  of  this  church, 
and  to  whom  the  first  edition  of  the  preceding  his- 
tory was  dedicated.  Always  cheerful  and  hopeful,  al- 
ways prayerful  and  spiritual,  always  about  his  Master's 
business,  always  ready  to  speak  a  word  in  season  to 
him  that  was  weary,  and  to  contribute  out  of  his  mod- 
erate means  to  the  needy  in  a  measure  beyond  many 
of  those  who  have  the  resources  of  wealth,  let  me 
express  the  hope  that  he  has  and  will  continue 
to  have  many  to  follow  him  as  he  followed  Christ. 
What  though  disease  which  had  long  been  wasting  his 
bodily  strength,  at  length  commenced  its  ravages  on 
his  mind  and  overshadowed  him  in  his  last  sickness 
with  a  rayless  cloud  ?  How  great  and  joyful  must  have 
been  the  good  man's  astonishment  when,  having  closed 
his  eyes  for  ever  on  the  darkness  of  earth,  he  opened 
them  on  the  bris^htness  of  heaven  !* 


*  Mr.  Denton  departed  this  life  August  9th,  1857,  aged  63  years,  5  months 
and  8  days.  The  following  sketch  of  him  was  published  by  the  present 
pastor,  Rev,  Mr.  Oakey  : 

Mr.  Denton  was  born  in  the  town  of  Jamaica,  March  1st,  1794.  A  child 
of  the  covenant  by  a  pious  mother,  be  was  early  taught  the  obligation  and 
practice  of  true  religion. 

The  subject  of  our  notice  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  October, 
1S16.  His  consistent  piety  and  devoted  zeal  pointed  him  out  as  well  quali- 
fied to  fill  the  office  of  ruling  elder.  Accordingly,  having  been  previously 
called  to  this  office  by  the  voice  of  the  church,  he  was  ordained  thereto  on  the 
8d  of  June,  1819.  How  well  he  filled  that  office  they  who  knew  him  most  in- 
timately can  best  testify.  It  is  due  to  his  memory  to  say  that  for  38  years, 
except  when  sickness  intermitted  his  labours,  he  served  the  church  as  an  elder 
with  an  afiection,  a  faithfulness,  a  devotion  of  piety,  a  pure  consistent  chris- 
tian character  seldom  surpassed,  not  often  equaled.     And  though  for  awhile 


PRESBYTERIAN    CIIUKCH,  JAMAICA.  237 

It  is  by  faith  we  receive  the  great  propitiation.  It  is 
by  faith  that  the  unseen  things  of  eternity  become 
living  and  influential  realities.  It  is  Christ  in  our 
prayers  like  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  ascending  in  the 
flame  of  the  burnt  sacrifice*  of  Israel's  great  champion 


laid  aside  from  active  duty  by  physical  disability,  yet  to  the  last  his  interest 
was  in  and  for  the  church. 

Some  of  the  traits  in  his  character  may  be  summed  up  in  a  few  words, 
Jle  had  a  tender  conscience.  He  feared  nothing  so  much  as  sin.  He  was 
very  susceptible  to  anything  in  his  own  person  or  in  the  church  that  might 
offend  the  Divine  Master  or  wound  his  cause.  He  was  of  a  hmnhle  mind. 
He  never  was  obtrusive  in  his  manner.  He  never  arrogated  to  himself  su- 
periority ;  nor  was  he  dogmatic  in  the  statement  of  his  opinions.  His  dis- 
position was  rather  conciliating,  confiding,  childlike ;  more  like  those  of 
whom  the  Saviour  said,  "  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  Heaven."  He  teas 
charitable  vpon  principle  ;  he  was  liberal  according  to  system.  If  he  was  ab- 
sent on  collection  days,  his  contribntion  nevertheless  came.  And  that  contri- 
bution Avas  a  fair  representative  of  his  worldly  circumstances,  for  he  felt  it  to 
be  a 2Jrivil-e(/e  to  "give  according  as  the  Lord  had  prospered  him.  He  was 
desirous  of  doing  good  to  the  souls  rf  men.  Many  can  testify  to  his  efforts  in 
the  sick  chamber,  and  by  personal  conversation  with  the  impenitent,  to  lead 
them  to  Jesus.  And  some  who  have  united  with  the  church  traced  their 
convictions  to  his  conversation,  or  to  books  given  them  by  him.  "  They 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever." 
He  was  strong  in  his  faith  in  God.  However  little  faith  he  may  have  had  in 
hi?nself,  he  never  lost  hold  of  his  faith  in  God.  He  never  permitted  him- 
self to  question  the  wisdom  or  righteousness  of  the  Divine  proceedings* 
And  in  this  respect,  like  Job,  he  kept  his  integrity  to  the  end.  And  though 
his  disease,  reaching  the  brain,  produced  great  mental  suffering,  partially 
thereby  suspending  the  full  enjoyment  of  his  hope,  yet  in  his  life  and  char- 
acter the  example  and  power  of  a  godly  life  speak  out,  justifying  the  appel- 
lation, if  it  may  be  applied  to  any  one  within  the  range  of  our  knowledge, 
of  a  good  man  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  while  friends  gather  around 
his  grave,  the  church  mourns  his  loss,  and  the  impenitent  have  lost  a  friend, 
than  whom  no  one  felt  a  more  tender  interest  for  them  than  our  departed 
brother. 

But  he  is  gone.  "We  can  only  mourn  our  loss,  and  tender  our  condolence 
to  the  afflicted  relatives,  and  in  the  language  of  the  apostle,  exhort  them 
"  that  they  sorrow  not,  as  others  which  have  no  hope.  For  if  we  believe 
that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again;  even  so  them  also  which  sleep  in  Jesus 
will  God  bring  with  him." 

*  Judores  xiii.  20. 


238  PEESBYTEKIAN   CHUKCn,    JAMAICA. 

which  brings  them  near  the  throne  of  the  Loed  of  all 
the  ages  and  kingdoms  of  the  world.  It  is  a  great  en- 
couragement when  we  remember  we  approach  the  same 
gracious  being  who  heard  the  prayers  of  our  own 
parents  and  ^Jicestors,  who  have  passed  beyond  the 
shadows  amidst  which  we  are  moving  to  the  inheri- 
tance of  the  promises.  Our  hearts  are  moved  when  Ave 
think  how  they  prayed  for  their  children's  children, 
and  we  are  blessed  ;  how  they  prayed  for  Christ's  cause 
and  it  was  strengthened,  and  his  work  revived.  Are  we 
wrestling  as  they  did  to  obtain  the  everlasting  prize  ? 
and  for  a  blessing  on  those  who  are  to  come  after  us  ? 


ADDENDA. 


I. 

A  list  of  the  Towne  Estate  of  Jemaica. 






s 

a 

m 

ANNO  1683 

o 

^ 
>* 

H 

r^ 

III 

o 

H 
>* 

1 

5'. 

ESTATES 

2 

1 

0 

I— ( 

0 

o 
2 

5 

CO 

4 

3 

r— 1 

3 

52 

2 

£     .s.    d. 

Capt.  Carpenter 

186  00  00 

John  Rodes  Senr 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

2 

5 

2 

2 

0 

40 

1 

120  00  00 

Thomas  Smith  sen 

0 

1 

1 

0 

2 

3 

3 

3 

2 

2 

45 

2 

145  00  00 

Jonathan  Deine, 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

18 

1 

58  00  02 

John  Everit 

2 
2 
1 

0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 

0 
4 
4 

3 
4 

5 

1 
4 
0 

4 
2 

2 

2 

2 

1 

0 
0 

1 

30 
42 
33 

1 

2 
1 

104  00  00 

Joseph  Smith 

170  00  00 

Thomas  Bayles 

119  00  00 

Thomas  Wigens  iun. . . 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

1 

1 

0 

8 

0 

022  00  00 

John  Wio'ens 

0 

1 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

2 

1 

1 
1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

1 
1 

036  00  00 

Girsham  Wigens 

041  00  00 

Edwav^Hig-bee 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

2 

2 

2 

1 

30 

1 

092  00  00 

Joseph  Thurston 

3 

0 

0 

2 

3 

1 

5 

1 

1 

46 

2 

164  00  00 

William  Foster 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

2 

2 

4 

0 

35 

1 

116  00  00 

Samuell  Smith 

2 

0 

0 

0 

6 

6 

2 

3 

3 

0 

50 

3 

204  00  00 

Nicholas  Everit 

1 

0 

0 

0 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

2 

50 

2 

176  00  00 

Daniel  Whithed 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

6 

2 

3 

1 

2 

45 

0 

118  00  00 

Clem  Salmon 

0 
1 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
4 

1 
6 

0 
3 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

10 

70 

1 
1 

033  00  00 

W^illiam  Creed 

160  00  00 

Peter  Stringham 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

12 

1 

061  00  00 

Beniamin  Coe 

1 
2 

0 
0 

0 

0 

0 
0 

0 

1 

4 
3 

1 
1 

1 

0 

1 

2 

0 
0 

27 
10 

1 
1 

085  00  00 

Samuell  Messenger. . . . 

080  00  00 

Nathaniell  Lynas 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

4 

0 

1 

0 

10 

0 

032  00  00 

John  Oldfield 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 

0 

4 

4 

4 
6 

0 
0 

2 
1 

2 
0 

0 
0 

36 
25 

2 
0 

124  00  00 

George  Woolsey  iun. . . 

081  00  00 

John  Man 

2 

I 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 
0 

0 

2 

3 

4 

0 
3 

4 

2 

2 
2 

1 

2 

22 
24 

2 

111  00  00 

Sam  Mathews 

108  00  00 

John  Foster 

0 
0 
0 

1 

0 
0 

0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 

0 
2 
0 

1 
1 
1 

2 
4 

0 

0 
3 
0 

0 
1 
0 

0 

2 
0 

8 
22 
14 

0 

047  00  00 

Jane  Foster 

066  00  00 

Richird  Jones 

037  00  00 

Jonathan  Mills 

2 

0 

0 

0 

2 

6 

1 

3 

3 

3 

16 

119  GO  00 

Jonathan  AVood 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

018  00  00 

Jonas  Wood 

0 

1 
1 
1 

1 

0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

0 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 
0 

1 

2 
2 
2 

2 

0 
0 
2 
1 

4 
1 
2 
1 

0 
1 
1 
3 

0 
0 
0 
0 

5 

15 

4 

8 

0 

051  00  00 

John  Wood 

055  00  00 

Elias  Bayles 

040  00  00 

John  Smith  Jr 

065  00  00 

Samuell  Denton 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

4 

1 

1 

1 

0 

6 

064  00  00 

Alexander  Smith 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

2 

1 

0 

13 

047  00  00 

Zachariah  Mills 

1 

0 

0 

0 

2 

2 

2 

1 

1 

0 

19 

083  00  00 

240 


ADDENDA. 


Rate  list,  etc. — Continued. 


ANNO  16S3 


AbeU  Galle 

Fulke  Davis 

^"amuell  Davis 

John  Hindes 

Richard  Denton 

Nehemiah  Smith 

"Wait  Smith 

John  Smith  Sen"" 

John  &  Jos.  Ludly. . .  . 

John  Carpenter 

Samuell  Mils 

Nath  Denton  iu 

Sam  Deine  Sen 

Sam  Deine  Jun 

John  Deine 

Nath  Denton  Sen 

George  Mills 

George  AVoolsey  Sen . . 

"Widow  Ashman 

John  Rowlifson  &  Fred. 

Thomas  "Wellin 

John  Bayles 

Sam  Ruscoe 

John  Hanson 

Derick  Powleson 

Cornelius  Barnson 

Rich  Everit 

Hugh  Forde 

Thomas  Smith  iun .  .  . . 

"William  Bringscel 

Edw  Burrows 

Caleb  Carman 

John  Rodes  iun 

Tho  Foster 

John  Carman 

Tho  AVoolsey 

John  Freeman 

Beniamin  Jones 

"William  "White 

Hope  Carpentor 

Randolph  Evans 

Barnet  Caterlin 

John  Foster 

Jerem  Hubard 

Daniel  Denton. 


03 

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2 

4 

2 

3    0 

6 

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0 

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0 

8 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

2    0 

1 

11 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

1 

1 

0 

1 

6 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

4 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

22 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

4 

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2 

2 

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1 

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2 

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0 

0 

0 

2 

2 

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2 

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0 

0 

2 

4 

2 

0 

2 

0 

30 

1 

0 

0 

0 

2 

3 

2 

1 

3 

0 

15 

2 

0 

0 

0 

4 

6 

0 

2 

3 

0 

34 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

2 

0 

0 

0 

4 

6 

0 

1 

0 

1 

55 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

1 

0 

0 

4 

2 

0 

0 

0 

4 

6 

2 

4 

0 

0 

36 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

4 

3 

0 

0 

2 

0 

21 

0 

1 

1 

0 

0 

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4 

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3 

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16 

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0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

0 

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0 

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0 

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0 

0 

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0 

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0 

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0 

9 

1 

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5 

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6 

5 

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19 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

2 

1 

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0 

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0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

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0 

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0 

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0 

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0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

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2 

0 

1 

0 

0 

3 

4 

1 

1 

1 

6 

1 

0 

0 

1 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

2 

6 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

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0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

0 

1 

1 

0 

4 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

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0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

6 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

ESTATES 
£  ,s.  d. 


098  00  00 

039  00  00 
050  00  00 
048  00  00 

042  00  00 
116  00  00 
110  00  00 
0S6  00  00 
151  00  00 

078  00  00 

103  00  00 
087  00  00 
1?.9  00  00 
0-22  00  00 

040  00  00 
153  00  00 
034  0.~i  00 
168  00  00 
()75  00  00 

104  00  00 
065  00  00 
098  00  00 
014  00  00 
118  00  00 
107  00  00 
050  00  00 
022  00  00 
030  00  00 

043  00  00 

044  00  00 
032  00  OD 
198  00  00 

079  00  00 
032  00  00 
028  00  00 
040  00  00 
089  00  00 
053  00  00 
038  00  00 

055  00  00 
009  00  00 
018  00  00 
046  00  00 
034  00  00 

056  CO  CO 


ADDENDA. 


241 


II. 


Beturn  of  Marriages  Christenings  and  Burials  in  tJie  town  of  Jamaica^ 
for  Seven  Years  preceding  1688. — Doc.  Hist.  III.  197. 


Capt.  Carpenter, 
Joseph  Smith, 
John  Oldfield, 

MARRIAGES.     CIIRI 

.     3      

1      

.      1      

STENINGS.     BU] 

0      

1    

2      

^lALLS 

0 
0 
0 

Mr.  Woolsey, 
Will  fFoster, 

1      

.      1      

0      

0      

1 
1 

Samll  Smith,    . 

3      

2      

0 

John  Everett, 

.     0      

3      ... 

0 

Zachary  Mills, 
Alexander  Smith, 

0      

.     0      

0      

4      

1 

0 

Rich  Jones, 

0      

1      

0 

Edward 

.     0      

2      

0 

Nehemiah  Smith,     . 

0      ... 

.      0      ... 

.     1 

John  Ileines, 

.    1    

1      ... 

1 

John  Carpenter, 
Saml  Mills 

0      ... 
.     2      ... 

3      ... 
2      ... 

0 
0 

Nath  Denton  Senr   . 

3      ... 

0      ... 

.      0 

John  Rodes, 

.     0      

3      ... 

.      0 

John,        .... 

0      ... 

1      ... 

.      0 

Nath  Denton, 
George  Woolsey,     . 
Tho :  Smith  Sen"", 

.     0      ... 

0      ... 

.     1      ... 

4      ... 
.      3      ... 
.      2      ... 

.    1 
.     1 
.    1 

Tho  :  Smith  Jun^,    . 

0      ... 

.      1      ... 

.     1 

J  ohn  Smith, 

.     0      ... 

.      2      ... 

.      0 

Rich :  Rodes, 

0      ... 

.      0      ... 

.    1 

Ralph  Hunt, 

.    1     ... 

0      ... 

.      0      ... 
.      2      ... 

.      0 

.    1 

Derrick  Poulson 

.0      ..  . 

.      3      ... 

.    1 

Rich  Everett  . 

1    . . . 

.      0      ... 

.      0 

11 

242                                                 ADDENDA. 

MARRIACES.    CHRISTEXINGS.     BUI 

1IALLS 

Samll  Mathews,           .         .         .     1     0     

0 

Nicolas  Everett,      .         .         .         1     . 

4      

1 

Jonas  Wood,  ....         0     . 

4      

1 

ffrederick    .         .         .         .         .     0     . 

3      

0 

John  BayUe,    ....         1      . 

0      

0 

John  Hanson,      .         .         .         .     0      . 

0      

1 

EHas  BayHe,    ....         0     . 

3      

0 

Abell  Gale,      ....         1      . 

0      

1 

Jonth  Dean,        .         .         .         .     0     . 

0      ... 

1 

Samll  Dean,     ....         3      . 

0      ... 

1 

Nath  Lynas,        .         .         .         .     0     . 

4      ... 

0 

Wait  Smith,             .         .         .         0     . 

3      ... 

0 

Danll  Denton,  Jun",     .          .         .     0      , 

0      ... 

3 

Joseph  Thurston,     .         .         .         1      . 

8      ... 

1 

John  Wood,        .         .         .         .     0     . 

2      ... 

0 

Mr.  Whitehead,       ...         0 

0      ... 

1 

Mr.  White,          .         .         .         .     0     . 

0      ... 

.      2 

Hope  Carpenter,     ...          0 

.      1      ..  . 

.      1^ 

Danll  Denton  Sen'       .         .         .     - 

-      ... 

— 

Tho:  Wellen,           .         .         .         -     . 

-      ... 

— 

Will  Creed          .         .         .         .    - 

-      ... 

— 

John  ffoster,    .         .         .         .         - 

.      -      ... 

.      - 

John  Man,           ...         .     — 

-      ... 

- 

Will  Sallierd  .         .         .         .         - 

-      ... 

.      - 

Fulk  Davis,         .         .         .         .     - 

-      ... 

— 

Mr.  fFreeman,            .         .         .         - 

-      ... 

.      - 

Samell,                  .         .         .         .    - 

-      ... 

- 

Jonth:  Mills,            .         .         .         - 

—      ... 

.      - 

Beniemin  Coe,     .         .         .         .     - 

-      ... 

.      - 

Tho :  Wiggins,        .         .         .         - 

.      -      ... 

.      - 

Widdow,             .         .         .         .    - 

.      -      ... 

.      - 

Edward  Higbee,      .         .         .         - 

-      ... 

.      - 

*  The  remaining  figures  of  the  MS.  ar 

e  ob' 

iterated. 

ADDENDA. 


2^3 


Widdow  Davis,  ...  .     - 

Samll  Denton,           .         .  *         - 

AViddow  Messenger,  .         .  .     - 

Rich:  Wright,         .         .  .         - 

Peter  Stringam,           .         .  .     - 

Jeremiah  Hubbard,          .  .        - 

This  is  what  we  can  Remember  hath  hap'n'ed  within  7 
years. 

ffor  y^  number  off  horse  &  ffoot  &  how  armed  &  provi- 
ded an  account  is  ah-eddy  given  by  y^  Military  officers : 
By  order  from  y®  Commissioners 

By  Danll  Denton  Clerk 
To  Maior  Thomas  Willet,  Sheriff. 


III. 

Rate  List  for  £51  of  Jamaica  feb  4,  1708-9. 


£ 

s. 

d.  q.tv 

Cornelius  Baise 

..  0 

3 

3  0  0 

Widow  Coe 

..  0 

3 

6  3  1 

John  Carpenter,  Jr.. 

..  0 

3 

8  2  0 

John   Brass 

..  0 

3 

Oil 

Andrew  Gaile 

..  0 

4 

10  0  2 

Daniel  Coe 

..  0 

6 

4  2  2 

Nathan'l  Smith 

..  0 

2 

12  4 

John  Cokefair 

.   0 

8 

114 

Joseph  Coe 

..  0 

5 

3  13 

John  Mills 

..   0 

4 

5  11 

Jonan  Mills,  Sr 

..   0 

4 

1  1  1 

Jona"  Mills,  Jr 

..   0 

0 

2  0  0 

Powel  Amberman . . . 

..  0 

4 

5  2  2 

Samuel  Scitmore. . . . 

..   0 

4 

6  3  3 

Daniel  Whithead. .  . . 

..  0 

3 

9  0  0 

John  Cleare 

..   0 

4 

9  0  0 

John  Talman 

..   0 

1 

0  0  0 

Eliacam  Hedajer 

..  0 

0 

5  0  0 

John  Hendrickson , . . 

..  0 

0 

3  0  0 

Johanas  Eldertson . . . 

..  0 

0 

3  0  0 

Christian  Snedicer. .. 

..  0 

0 

3  0  0 

William  Johnson. .  . . 

..  0 

7 

10  0 

Charles  Randall 

..  0 

0 

]0  0  0 

Richard  Everitt 

..  0 

0 

4  0  0 

£  s.  d.  q.w 

William  Cornell 0  0    7  00 

Gershom  Wiggins 0  6     9  3  1 

Simum  Bloome 0  5  10  2  0 

John  Bleuw 0  5     822 

William  Colder 0  3    333 

Samuel  Higbie 0  4  10  13 

Thomas  Thurston 0  0     4  0  0 

John  Coe 0  0     5  0  0 

William  Bloodgood 0  0    12  0 

Justice  Mastin 0  0     120 

John  Gray 0  0     500 

Anthony  Waters 0  17     5  2  3 

Johanas  Bruer 0  5     9  13 

Obadiah  Wilkins 0  1  11  2  0 

Richard  Betts 0  0  10  0  0 

Hope  Rodes 0  3     6  22 

Jonan  Dean,  Jun 0  4  10  1  3 

Benjamin  Smith 0  4    304 

Nicolas  Everit,  Jr 0  2    10  0 

John  Hanson 0  17     6  12 

Hanse  Bargin 0  2     911 

Tunis  Hanson 0  0     200 

WilliamCreed,  Sen....  0  9    713 

Widow  Okly 0  2    904 


2U 


ADDENDA. 


Hate  List,  etc. —  Continued. 


John  Garison 0 

John  Rodes 0 

Mrs.  Woolsey 0 

William  Ludlum 0 

John  Gaile. .    0 

John  Morehead 0 

John  Wright 0 

Adrian  Hegeman 0 

Nathaniel  Higbe 0 

Sam'l  Denton  (Smith). .   0 

Elias  Dousihtv 0 

Daniel  Smith". 0 

Thos.  Welling 0 

Sam'l  Smith  (red  hd)..   0 

Jos.  Carpenter 0 

Nath'l  Denton,  Jr 0 

Sam'l  Bavlnvs, 0 

Wm.  Creed,  Jr 0 

Thos.  Whithead 2 

Capt.  Geo.  Woolsey.. .  .  0 

John  Smith,  Jus 0 

Thos.  liumphres 0 

Rem  Dnrland 0 

Garret  Durland 0 

Peter  Garason 0 

Jacob  Ramson 0 

Johanas  Williamson. .  .  0 

John  Snedicer 0 

John  Lamberson 0 

Theodorus  Pulehemus..  0 

Jacob  Colver 0 

Eldert  Lucas 0 

Jehonas  Bukout 0 

HendrikLot 0 

Jacob  Johnson 0 

Dow  Johnson 0 

John  Deane 0 

Samuel  Deane 0 

Hendrick  Brass 0 

Tunes  Huff. 0 

Peter  Hendrickson.. ..   0 

Garitt  Johnson 0 

Garitt  Clason 0 

John  Okey 0 

John  Weson 0 

Samuel  Durling 0 

Stephen  Stephenson...   0 

Benj.  Thurston 0 

Benj.  Wiggins 0 

Wm.  Carpenter 0 

John  Probasco 0 

Elias  Baylies 0 

Samuel  Carpenter 0 

Wm.  Brinklev 0 


s. 

d.  q.io 

0 

7  0  0 

7 

10  1  1 

1 

9  0  0 

5 

11  2  0 

16 

8  0  0 

2 

4  2  2 

0 

7  00 

1 

2  0  0 

7 

1  1  3 

5 

10  0  0 

0 

7  0  0 

5 

12  2 

7 

3  3  3 

7 

11  3  1 

0 

2  0  0 

6 

0  0  2 

7 

7  0  4 

9 

10  1  1 

15 

1  1  3 

7 

3  1  1 

10 

11  2  0 

1 

4  0  0 

9 

11  0  4 

9 

9  0  4 

8 

5  2  2 

10 

7  0  0 

8 

12  0 

7 

1  0  0 

7 

10  2  0 

19 

7  13 

1 

6  0  0 

12 

5  2  4 

1 

4  0  0 

IG 

5  2  2 

o 

7  13 

12 

2  1  3 

4 

13  1 

4 

7  0  4 

4 

2  2  2 

2 

0  2  0 

0 

4  2  0 

8 

11  2  4 

16 

10  0  4 

12 

4  2  0 

0 

7  1  1 

0 

7  2  0 

8 

2  2  2 

18 

6  0  0 

5 

6  0  0 

4 

11  0  0 

8 

4  11 

5 

6  1  1 

8 

13  1 

0 

5  3  1 

Jacob  Lowese 0 

Jos.  (Jldtield 0 

Sam'l   Thurston 0 

Hope  Mills 0 

Dan'l  Bayles 0 

John  Messenger 0 

Abm.  Lot 0 

David  Forman 0 

Wait  Smith,  Jr 0 

Nathan  Smith 0 

Nicolas  Stillwell 0 

Peter  White 0 

Justice  Robt.  Reade...  0 

Josiah  Wiggins 0 

Sam'l  Smit'ir(Cord) 0 

Ebenezer  Smith 0 

Jonan  Dean,  Jr 0 

Nath'l  Denton,  Jr 0 

Daniel  Dean 0 

Samuel  Clows  (Clerk; . .  0 

Saml  Mills,  Jr 0 

Thos.  Howel 0 

John  Foster  (Comber).  0 

GabrillLuff 0 

Jos.  Smith 0 

James  Denton 0 

Widow  Goldin 0 

Zachariah  Mills 0 

John  Cai'man 0 

Sam'l  Mills,  Sr 0 

Jos.  Ludlum 0 

John  Ludlum 0 

Jas.  Lewis 0 

Waite  Smith,  Sr 0 

Nehh  Smith,  Sr 0 

Neh'' Smith,  Jr 0 

Capt.  John  Carpenter. .  0 

Daniel  Bull 0 

Thomas  Smith,  Jr 0 

Abell  Gaile 0 

Thos.  Gaile 0 

Nehh  Gaile 0 

Wm.  Moss 0 

Jonan  Waters 0 

Doc  Beekman 0 

John  Smith,  Jr 0 

Jos.  Burton 0 

Sam'l  Fisch 0 

Hope  Carpenter 0 

Jonas  Wood,  Jr 0 

Timothy  Wood 0 

Thos.  Wigsins 0 

Charles  Williams 0 

John  Woolsey 0 


8. 

d.  q.w 

1 

11  2  0 

7 

2  2  2 

3 

11  1  3 

5 

6  2  0 

4 

0  13 

2 

8  0  0 

8 

10  2 

1 

10  3  1 

3 

3  0  0 

2 

6  2  4 

5 

10  2 

5 

10  2  2 

2 

5  2  0 

9 

4  3  3 

6 

9  3  3 

o 

1  1  1 

0 

2  0  0 

10 

0  3  1 

4 

2  11 

1 

6  0  0 

6 

0  0  0 

2 

6  0  0 

1 

4  0  0 

3 

11  0  0 

11 

5  2  2 

0 

3  3  3 

0 

12  0 

5 

0  0  0 

0 

10  0  0 

4 

8  13 

3 

8  0  0 

8 

8  0  0 

0 

5  0  0 

9 

7  0  2 

4 

11  2  4 

2 

9  1  3 

6 

3  2  4 

1 

8  0  0 

4  10  3  3 

g 

8  1  4 

o 

6  0  4 

2 

3  0  0 

3 

0  2  4 

11 

0  0  0 

3 

4  2  0 

4 

2  2  4 

o 

5  2  4 

4 

8  0  0 

7 

10  3  3 

10 

10  0  0 

1 

10  1  1 

6 

4  0  4 

0 

11  0  0 

5 

11  1  3 

ADDENDA. 
Rate  List,  etc.  —  Contimied. 


245 


Hend'k  Hegeman 0 

Thos.  Bums 0 

John  Burns   0 

Sam'l  Denton 0 

John  Foster,  Jr 0 

Wm.  Jones 0 

Charles  Smith 0, 

Thos.  Woolsey 0 

Jonas  Wood,  Jr 0 

Solomon  Carpenter 0 

Thos.  Smith  (Cord) 0 

Richard  Oldtield 0 

Wm.  Oldfield ...   0 

John  Pearce 0 

Frederick  Van  Lew 0 

John  Everitt 0 

David  Waters 0 


11 

5  2  4 

4 

11  0  0 

1 

4  0  0 

1 

4  0  0 

6 

5  3  1 

5 

3  2  0 

1 

8  0  0 

5 

5  1  1 

0 

2  0  0 

'2 

5  0  0 

3 

10  0  0 

13 

6  0  2 

8 

0  2  4 

0 

5  0  4 

17 

10  2  2 

7 

8  0  0 

5 

13  3 

Sam'l  Smith,  Sr 0 

Mrs,  Whithead 0 

Doct.  Ocqnart 0 

Francis  Sawyer 0 

Jnstice  Everitt 0 

Noah  Smith 0 

Thos.  Petit 0 

George  Cimbal 0 

Justice  Whithead 2 

Joseph  Fanton 0 

Andrew  Mariner 0 

Widow  Hinksman 0 

Widow  Hadlock 0 

Thos.  Waters 0 

Amos  Smith 0 

Edward  Hare 0 


6 

3  3  1 

4 

9  11 

2 

0  0  0 

0 

7  0  0 

9 

10  1  3 

0 

2  0  0 

2 

6  13 

0 

2  0  0 

1 

10  2  4 

0 

2  0  0 

1 

8  0  4 

0 

3  0  0 

3 

2  2  0 

6 

2  0  4 

5 

4  2  0 

0 

4  2  0 

The  above  rate  being  £51  IGs  Hd,  whereof  £50  os  Id  to  be  paid  to  Col. 
Abm.  Depeyster,  Treasurer  of  the  Colony,  and  the  remainder  £1  135  8d  to 
remaine  to  y®  townes  vise    made  by  us 

Tnos  Waters  )    ^„,^„^„„ 
.  o  c  Assessors. 

Amos  Smith      ) 

Town  Records,  III.  58  to  GO. 

Eemarhs  on  the  foregoing  List. 

The  Whitheads  were  the  two  richest,  and  now  not  one  of  the  name  can 
be  found  hereabouts. 

The  denominations  of  money  are,  £.  s.  d.  qrs.  and  wampum.  I  suppose 
5  wampums  were  a  farthing. 

We  have  here  all  the  taxable  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Jamaica. 

We  learn  there  were  two  doctors,  one  Bloodgood  and  one  Urquhart,  per- 
haps ihe/uther  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Urquhart.     John  Urquhart  occurs  in  1696. 

We  see  the  odd  affixes  to  persons  of  the  same  name,  as  Smith,  Cord,  i.  e., 
cordwainer  or  shoemaker ;  Smith,  Bed  Jid,  i.  e.,  red  haired,  red  head  ;  Foster, 
Comb,  whether  it  means  wool  comber,  or  what,  I  can't  guess ;  Smith,  Pond, 
who  lived  at  Beaver  Pond  ;  Sam'l  Denton,  Smith,  i.  e.,  blacksmith. 

Dan'l  Bull  was  the  one  who  caused  the  riot  in  Jamaica,  while  McNish 
looked  on  and  enconraged  the  non-payment  of  church  dues  to  Poyer^ 
He  was  supervisor. — Doc.  Hist.  III.  285.  H.  0.,  Jr. 


246  ADDENDA. 

lY. 

LETTER    OF    THE    EEV.    GEORGE    HALE. 

Pennington^  N.J.^  February  5th,  1862. 
Bev.  J.  M.  Macdonald,  D.  D. 

Dear  Sir, — The  township  of  Hopewell,  in  which  the 
village  of  Pennington  lies,  was  originally  settled  about  the 
year  1700,  and  principally  by  emigrants  from  Long  Island. 
These  emigrants  were  the  founders  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Hopewell  of  Avhich  lara  now  the  pastor  and 
which  formed  part  of  the  old  "congregation  of  Maiden- 
head [Lawrence]  and  Hopewell"  mentioned  as  early  as 
1709,  in  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia. 

Some  of  these  were  from  Jamaica.  Within  view  of  the 
spot  where  I  am  now  writing,  is  the  farm  conveyed  (as  the 
parchment  deed  before  me  states)  on  "  the  17th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1699,  to  Edward  Burro  wes  of  Jamaica  on  Long  Island." 
This  land  was  first  occupied  by  his  son  Thomas  Burrowes, 
who  took  an  active  part  in  favor  of  the  "  old  side  "  in  the 
controversy  which  agitated  the  Presbyterian  church  in 
1737-8,  &c.  In  the  call  for  the  services  of  the  Rev.  John 
Guild  in  1739,  are  found  his  name  and  those  of  his  five 
sons.  Three  of  his  descendants  have  been  elders  of  this 
church,  and  one  of  them  is  the  Rev.  George  Burrowes, 
D.  D.,  now  of  San  Francisco,  California. 

Opposite  to  the  farm  of  Thomas  Burrowes,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  road,  is  the  land  purchased  by  George  Woolsey 
also  of  Jamaica,  and  now  in  possession  of  his  descendant 
of  the  fourth  generation,  George  Woolsey,  a  deacon  of 
this  church. 

Adjoining  the  farm  of  Thomas  Burrowes  is  land  once 
the   property  of  John   Muirheid,   who   was   married   to 


ADDENDA.  247 

''^Eebekah  Bailey''''  at  Jamaica,  November  22,  1706.  Their 
oldest  child  Jane,  was  born  August  29,  1710  and  "bap- 
tized by  Mr.  George  McN"ish."  It  is  recorded  that  all  their 
other  children,  seven,  were  baptized  in  infancy.  Two  of 
his  posterity,  each  bearing  the  name  of  their  ancestor, 
"  John,"  have  been  ruling  elders  of  this  church. 

A  portion  of  the  last  mentioned  tract  was  bought  by 
John  Carpenter  of  Jamaica,  and  occupied  by  him  and  three 
generations  following,  each  of  the  four  bearing  the  name 
"  John  "  the  third  being  for  many  years  a  ruling  elder  in 
this  church,  and  the  fourth  dying  unmarried  just  as  he  had 
reached  manhood.  Between  the  farm  of  Mr.  Carpenter, 
and  a  line  fence,  which  is  but  a  few  rods  distant  from  here, 
is  the  purchase  of  John  Welling^  also  of  Jamaica,  two  of 
whose  grandsons  have  been  ruling-elders,  and  a  great 
grandson  a  deacon  of  this  church. 

In  addition  to  the  above,  Thomas  Smith,  John  Everit, 
Eldad  Davis,  Jonas  Wood,  Caleb  Carman,  Samuel  Everit, 
and  Andrew  Foster,  are  believed  to  have  immigrated 
hither  from  Jamaica,  Long  Island. 

Two  of  the  early  settlers  married  daughters  of  the  Rev. 
John  Prudden,  once  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of 
Jamaica  : — viz,  Nathaniel  Moore  of  Newtown,  the  husband 
of  Joanna  Prudden,  and  Elnathan  Baldwin,  (of  the  Hemp- 
stead Baldwins)  the  husband  of  Kezia  Prudden. 

From  Hempstead  came  John  Mott,  John  Johnson  and 
William  Cornwell. 

From  Newtown,  came  Ralph  Hunt,  whose  son  Nathan, 
was  long  a  ruling  elder  here,  and  whose  daughter  Charity 
became  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  John  Guild,  the  pastor  for 
nearly  fifty  years  of  this  church.  In  this  family  there  have 
been  at  least  three  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  five  ruling 
elders,  and  numerous  professors  of  religion  who  have  been 
pillars  of  this  church  and  a  blessing  to  other  Presbyterian 


248  ADDENDA. 

churches.  John  Titus  also  was  from  Xewtown.  Through 
his  seven  sons  and  two  daughters,  most  of  whom  settled 
in  this  vicinity,  he  has  become  the  ancestor  of  a  posterity 
more  numerous  probably  than  that  of  any  early  inhabitant 
of  this  county.  Seven  of  his  descendants  have  served  the 
people  as  ruling  elders  and  three  as  deacons,  besides  those 
who  have  been  office-bearers  in  other  churches. 

Ephraim  Titus,  one  of  the  original  settlers  from  New- 
town, was  a  ruling  elder  here ;  and  through  the  marriage 

of  his  two  daughters,  one  to  a  Phillips  of  Lawrence,  and 
the  other  to  a  Green,  of  Ewing,  his  descendants  are  nu- 
merous,— among  whom  may  be  mentioned  the  Rev.  Enoch 
Green,  once  pastor  of  the  church  of  Deerfield,  New  Jersey. 

Other  immigrants,  who  came  directly  from  Newtown 
hither,  were  Timothy  Titus,  John  Hunt,  Sackett  Moore, 
Robert  Blackwell,  John  Burroughs,  John  Reed,  William 
Read,  John  Keetcham,  Benjamin  Keetcham,  Andrew 
Smith,  John  Smith,  Jonathan  Sticklin,  Thomas  Combs, 
John  Field,  Gershom  Moore,  Simon  Sackett,  Jonathan 
Furnian,  Samuel  Furman,  and  doubtless  others. 

It  is  probable  that  the  family  of  Stevenson,  of  Amwell, 
on  the  north,  Reeder,  Scudder,  Severance,  Reed,  Sackett, 
Fish,  &c.  of  Ewing,  Avith  those  who  bore  the  name  of 
Hunt,  Smith,  Davis,  Phillips  and  Lawrenson  of  Lawrence, 
were  also  originally  from  Newtown,  Long  Island. 

There  is  no  evidence,  either  documentary  or  traditional, 
that  the  Christian  people  who  settled  the  region,  occupied 
by  the  churches  of  Lawrence,  Ewing,  Pennington,  Tren- 
ton, and  Titusville,  were  not  Presbyterian  from  the  be- 
ginning ;  and  their  Presbyterianism  seems  to  have  been 
brought  Avith  them  from  Long  Island.  The  first  Presby- 
terian record  we  have  of  this  "  people  of  Maidenhead  and 
Hopewell "  is  in  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery  of  Phila- 
delphia, May  11th,  1709,  where  "Mr.  Smith  is  ordered  to 


ADDENDA.  249 

SCO  to  them,  and  confer  with  them  on  such  matters  as  shall 
be  propomidecl  to  hhn  by  them,  concornhig  his  being 
called  to  be  their  minister," 

There  are  some  names  which  denote  that  the  people  were 
in  part  descended  from  Hollanders,  as  Iloif,  Ringo,  De- 
bough,  Vanhook,  Hendrix,  and  two  at  least  are  of  French 
origin,  La  Rue,  and  Vannoy,  [Huguenots  ?] 

If  this  meagre  sketch  can  aid  you  in  your  investigations 

it  will  be  gratifying  to, 

Yours  as  ever, 

George  Hale. 


y. 

Showinr/  the  Presbyteries  with  ivhich  this  Church  has   been 

connected. 

Tins  church  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  of  Philadel- 
phia, from  1711  to  1716.  It  was  set  off  to  the  Presbytery 
of  Long  Island,  which  was  organized  at  Southami^ton, 
April  17,  1717,  and  was  the  first  Presbytery  constitu- 
ted in  the  province  of  Xew  York.  May  24,  1738,  the 
Presbytery  of  Long  Island  was  united  with  the  eastern 
part  of  Jersey,  under  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  which  this  church  con- 
tinued, until  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Mills,  who  became  a 
member  of  the  Suffolk  Presbytery.  On  the  20th  of  May, 
1774,  in  the  S)Tiod  of  New  York  and  Philadel^^hia,  "a 
reference  was  brought  in  from  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York,  praying  the  advice  of  the  Synod,  Avhether  the  con- 
gregation of  Jamaica,  on  Long  Island,  whose  late  minister, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Mills,  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  of  Suffolk, 
may  be  taken  under  their  care  as  they  formerly  were,  and 
had  never  been  dismissed.  The  Synod  allowed  that  the 
11* 


250  ADDENDA. 

above  congregation  be  taken  under  the  care  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  New  York."  (Mmutes  of  Synod,  p.  454.)  Ac- 
cordingly, by  the  last  named  Presbytery,  Mr.  Burnet  Avas 
ordained  here  in  1774.  But  Mr.  Faitoute  says,  that  at  the 
time  he  came  here  a  dispute  had  existed  some  time,  whether 
this  church  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  of  Suffolk  or  the 
Presbytery  of  Xew  York;  the  Synod,  in  1789,  decided 
that  it  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  which 
body  proceeded  to  install  Mr.  Faitoute.  In  1790,  the 
Presbytery  of  Suffolk  was  dissolved,  and  a  new  one  formed 
under  the  original  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Long  Island, 
and  this  congregation  Avas  attached  to  it.  It  was  organized 
at  Jamaica,  November,  1790.  Dr.  Buell  was  appointed  to 
preach.  In  1809,  the  minister  and  congregation  of  Ja- 
maica requested  to  be  detached  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Long  Island,  and  placed  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery 
of  New  York,  which  request  was  granted.  This  church 
has  been  attached  to  the  Presbytery  of  Nassau  since  Nov. 
7,  1855,  at  which  date  said  Presbytery  was  organized. 

— •♦« 

YI. 

Catalogue  of  the  Ministers  of  the  Church. 

Zechariah  Walker,  Elihu  Spencer,  D.  D., 

John  Prudden,  Benoni  Bradner, 

William  Woodruff,  William  Mills,^ 

George  Phillips,  Matthias  Burnet,  D.  D., 

Jeremiah  Hobart,  Georire  Faitoute,^ 

John  Hubbard,^' '  Henr>  R.  Weed,  D.  D.,' 

Francis  Goodhue,*^  Seymour  P.  Funck,^ 

George  McNish,^  Ehas  W.  Crane,' 

Robert  Cross,  James  M.  Macdonald, 

Walter  Wilmot,'' '  Peter  D.  Oakey. 
David  Bostwick,^ 

1  Ordained  when  settled  here.  ^  Died  pastors  of  this  church. 


ADDENDA.  251 

YII. 

Elders  of  the  Church, 

Mr.  McNish,  at  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  in  1716,  gave 
reasons  for  not  bringing  an  elder  with  him,  which  were 
sustained.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Philadel- 
phia, in  1717,  John  Rodes  (Rhodes)  was  present  as  an 
elder,  who  was,  I  have  no  doubt,  from  Jamaica.  In  1737, 
Philip  Tanner  was  present  in  Synod  as  an  elder,  who 
may  have  been  from  Jamaica.  Daniel  Smith,  an  elder  of 
this  church,  was  present  in  1720.  He  died  on  the  15th 
day  of  October,  1754,  having  been  born  in  1663  or  1664. 
By  his  last  will  and  testament  he  gave  the  Register,  which 
is  now  in  use  by  this  church.  Elias  Baylis  was  present 
for  the  first  time  in  Synod  in  1734.  As  we  have  no  Re- 
cords of  Session,  and  no  Register  extending  back  of  the 
middle  of  the  last  century,  it  is  probably  impossible  to 
form  a  complete  list  of  the  Ruling  Elders  of  this  church. 
With  the  exception  of  Messrs.  Rhodes  and  Tanner,  re- 
specting whom  there  may  be  some  doubt,  the  following 
are  known  to  have  been  Ruling  Elders  in  this  church  : 

John  Rhodes,  Elias  Baylis, 

Philip  Tanner,  Joseph  Skidmore,  Esq., 

Daniel  Smith,^  Daniel  Baylis,^ 

Sam'l  Smith,  Esq.'  Sam'l  Smith,  Jr.  Esq.' 

1  Acting  as  Elders  in  1744. 

2  Daniel  Baylis,  is  supposed  to  have  come  from  England.  He  had  five 
sons,  who  were  all  elders  of  Presbyterian  churches.  Isaac  was  an  elder  of 
the  Huntington  church;  Daniel,  of  the  Goshen  Church  ;  Oliver  and  Elias, 
of  the  Huntington  church ;  Thomas  was  an  elder  of  the  Jamaica  church. 
Several  of  his  grandchildren  are  at  this  time  officers  of  Presbyterian 
churches.  Thomas  Baylis,  an  older,  and  Abraham  Baylis,  a  deacon  of  the 
Second  Presbyteiian  church  in  Brooklyn,  and  Daniel  Baylis,  one  of  the 
elders  of  the  church  in  Jamaica,  are  of  this  number. 


252 


ADDENDA. 


Increase  Carpenter, 
Xehemiali  Smith, 
Nicholas  Smith, 
Samuel  Denton, 
Benjamin  Tliurston, 
Benjamin  Everitt, 
Richard  Creed, 
AVilliam  Ludlam, 
Thomas  Baylis, 
Abraham  Burtis,' 
Benjamin  I.  Smith,^ 


Hon.  Eliphalet  Wickes,* 
Amos  Denton,^ 
Xathan  Shelton,  M.  D.,^ 
Charles  S.  Lord,^ 
John  Carpenter,^ 
Xathaniel  Carpenter,^ 
Jas.  H.  Reeve,^ 
Daniel  Baylis,^ 
Hon.  James  Rider,* 
Laurens  Reeve,^ 
John  D.  Shelton,  M.  D.,^ 


Daniel  Smith, 
EHas  Baylis, 
Samuel  Denton, 
Nicholas  Smith, 
Michael  Skidmore, 


VIII. 
Deacons. 

Othniel  Everitt,® 
Laurens  Reeve,'' 
James  Rider,'' 
Wra.  L.  Denton,^ 
Latham  M.  Jas^^G^ar.^ 


IX. 

Trustees  of  the  CJinrdi. 

Benj.  Thurston,  1791  David  Lamberson,  1791 

Benj.Everett,Esq.Pres.  1791  Daniel  Ludlam,  Esq.,    1791 

Jacob  Carpenter,  Pres.  1791  Daniel  Smith,  1791 

Nicholas  Everitt,  1791  Wm.  Ludlam,Esq.Pres.l791 


1  Elected  Feb.  23, 1817. 

2  Elected  June  3,  1819. 

3  Elected  May  13, 1821. 

4  Elected  Feb.  21,1847. 


5  Ordained  Oct.  18, 1857. 

6  Ordained  Jan.  13, 1819. 
^  Ordained  Sept.  22, 1833. 


ADDENDA. 


253 


Stephen  Herriman,  1791 
Epliraim  Baily,  1791 

Daniel  Iligbie,  1793 

Joseph  Robinson,  1793 

Bernardiis  Hendricksonl793 
Nehemiah  Everitt,  1794 
EHphalet  Wickes,  Esq.,  1795 
Samuel  Mills,  1796 

Benj.  Everitt,  1798 

James  Denton,  1802 

Simeon  Smith,  1802 

Henry  Mills,  1805 

Othniel  Smitli,  1805 

Dan'lLudlnm,  Jr.Pres.  1805 
Benj.  N.  Smith,  1805 

John  Rhodes,  1810 

Richard  Creed,  1813 

Thomas  Baylis,  1817 

David  Lamberson,  Jr.  1817 
Daniel  Smith,  1817 

Michael  Skidmore,         1818 


Gen.  Van  WyckWickes,  1 827 

David  Bergen,  1827 

John  Rhodes,  Jr.,  1827 

Daniel  Baylis,  1827 

Laurens  Reeve,  Pres.,  1829 

Samuel  Higbie,  1829 

Nich's  S.  Everitt,  1830 

Thomas  Smith,  1831 

James  Baylis,  1831 

James  Herriman,  1833 

Benj.  Bergen,  1833 

Daniel  Baylis,  1837 

Amos  Denton,  1842 

Wm.  Ludlam,  1843 

Hon.  James  Rider,  1845 

Jacob  Bergen,  1849 

John  B.  Smith,  1859 

JohnD.Shelton,M.D.,  1860 

John  J.  Armstrong,  1860 

Isaac  S.  Hendrickson,  1861 

Waite  S.  E.  Ludlam,  1861 


John  Rider,  Pres., 


1824 


264: 


ADDENDA. 


X. 

Number  of  Communicants  annually  reported  as  far  back   as 
can  be  ascertained. 

[Up  to  the  year  1 826,  the  year  ends  on  the  first  of  Oc- 
tober; from  1827  to  1861,  on  the  first  of  April.] 


YEAR. 

TOTAL 
IN  COM. 

TEAR. 

j 

TOTAL 
IN  COM. 

YEAR. 

TOTAL 
IN  COM. 

YEAR. 

TOTAL 
IN  COM. 

1807 

46 

1  1821 

184 

1835 

328 

1849 

420 

1808 

47 

1822 

193 

1836 

325 

1850 

419 

1809 

49 

1823 

196 

1837 

316 

1851 

445 

1810 

51 

1824 

201 

1838 

328 

1852 

456 

1811 

53 

1825 

1839 

327 

1853 

464 

1812 

58 

1826 

197 

1840 

392 

1854 

470 

1813 

55 

1827 

263 

1841 

380  : 

1855 

484 

1814 

54 

1828 

262 

1842 

373  ! 

1856 

480 

1815 

53 

1829 

270 

1843 

369  1 

1857 

493 

1816 

118 

1830 

276 

1844 

368  1 

I  1858 

504 

1817 

147 

1831 

278  i 

1845 

404  I 

1859 

513 

1818 

160 

1832 

333  I 

1846 

403 

1860 

519 

1819 

169 

1833 

338 

1847 

417 

1861 

529 

1820 

177 

1834 

335 

1848 

419 

In  1793,  there  were  fifty-eight  communicants.  In  1762, 
there  were  but  twelve,  whose  names  are  thus  given  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Mills  :  Benjamin  Hinchman  ;  Xehemiah  Denton  ; 
Deborah  Denton,  his  wife ;  John  Carman,  and  his  Avife ; 
Samuel  Denton ;  Dea.  Elias  Baylis,  and  his  wife ;  Mr. 
(John)  Messenger ;  Obadiah  Smith,  and  his  wife ;  Eliza- 
beth Smith,  (Justice  Smith's  wife.) 

It  is  proper  to  state,  that  in  tlie  above  list  there  is  a 
number  wlio  liave  been  long  absent,  and  their  places  of 
residence  being  unknown  they  have  not  been  reported 
to  Presbytery  since  1854. 


ADDENDA. 


255 


XI. 

List  of  Ministers  ivho  have  gone  forth  from  this  church  to 
l^reach  the  Gospel. 

The  following  Ministers,  either  bj  baptism  or  com- 
munion, have  been  members  of  the  Jamaica  Church. 
They  are  given  without  reference  to  the  order  of  their 
licensure  ;  the  date  of  their  connection  with  the  church 
extending  back  about  thirty  years  ;  there  being  no  re° 
cord  preserved  of  any  who  may  have  studied  for  the 
Ministry  previous  to  that  date. 


Rev. 

Charles  S.  Lord 

Entered  on 
Ministry. 

Thomas  S.  VVickes 

1816 

Daniel  Higbie  . 

1836 

William  B.  Reeve 

1836 

Frederick  W.  Shelton 

.     1847 

Frederick  M.  Noll 

1837 

Jeremiah  S.  Lord,  D.D.  . 

.     1840 

Samuel  L.  Lamberson  . 

1829 

Nicholas  E.  Smith,  D.D. 

.      1845 

A  lirnhnm  T^vmipi^i 

William  Mack,  D.D. 

.     1831 

Thomas  Wickes    . 

1834 

Henry  Wickes 

John  Wickes 

Geo.  F.  Hendrickson 

Martin  Ryerson    . 

1844 

John  Hall 

Charles  Furman    . 

James  Smith    . 

John  H.  MiUs       . 

256 


ADDENDA. 


Entered  on 
Ministrv. 


Rev.  Wilson  Phraner  .  .  .  .1850 
"  E.  N.  Crane  .  .  .  .  1852 
"  Benjamin  S.  Everett  .  .  .1858 
"  Joseph  T.  Duryea  .  .  .  1858 
"  Sam'l  Hendrickson  (cord)  Mission- 
ary to  Liberia.       ....     

There  are  also  two  young  men  now  in  course  of  pre- 
paration for  the  gospel  ministry. 


XII. 

List  of  Vestrymen^  imder  the  Act  of  1G93,  {cis  far  as  can  he 
ascertained)  from  1702  to  1722,  chosen  hy  the  Parish 
of  Jamaica^  arranged  alphabetically . 


Berrian  Peter  1714-22 

Nicholas  1717 

Jno  1702 

Bass  Abm.  1716— not  present 
Bloom  Barent    1716  —  not 

present 
Bayles  Elias  1714-18 

Sam'l  1708 

Burroughs  Thos  &  Jos  1709 

Jas  1712 

BuUDan'l  1708-18 
BettsDan'l  1720 
Bloodgood  W'"  1702 
Brinckerhoft*  Derick  1720 
Carpenter  Jno  1709 

Hope  1702-09 

Jos.  1714 


Sam'l  1705 

Coe  Jno  1702-19 

—  David  1709-20 

—  Robert,  1705 

—  Sam'l  1709-19 

—  Jona.  1714 
Cornelius  Ehas  1 709 — erased 
Dean  Sam'l  son  of  Jona.  1720 
Denton  Xath'l  1702-9 
Everet  Jno  1705-20 

Kich.  1713 

Fitch  Sam'l  1712-19 
Fish  Sam'l  1719 

-  Jona  1713-20 
Furman  Josiah  1716 

Jona.  1712 

Glean  Anthony  1709 


ADDENDA. 


257 


Glenn  W"  1702 
Gale  Jno  1717 
Hazard  Thos  1709-20 
Jas 1709 

Nath.  1713-18 

Jona.  1705 

Ilougton  Jno  1713 
Hii^bie  Nath.  1715 

Sam'l  1705 

Huff  Peter  1714-20 
Ketcham  Jos  1716 
Ketcham  Sam'l  1709 
Lawrence  W"'  1710 

Dan'l  1705 

Thos  1718 

Ludluni  Henry  1716 
Messeno;er  Jno  1720 
Mills  Zach.  1709 
Moor  Gershoni  1709 
Moss  W"^  1714 
Monfort  Peter  1715 
Morrell  Jos  1713 
Oldfield  Rich.  1714-18 

W"  1712 

Petit  Thos  1716 
Roe  David  1717 
Renne  Jas  1714-18 
Reeder  Jacob  1714 
Ryder  Jurian  1713 

Stephen  1713-18 

Sackett  Jos  Jr.  1712 


Jos  1702 

Skidmore  Sam'l  1709 
Smith  Dan'l  1710-20 

Eben.  1712 

Nehemiah  Jr.  1702-22 

Sam'l  (Scoon)  1715 

Nathan  1716 

Jeremy  1717 

Amos  1712 

Thos  1702 

SkillmanThos  1717 
Titus  Silas  1712-19 

Content  1702 

Talman  Jno  1705 
Thurston,  Benj.  1710 

Sam'l  1712 

Van  Liew  Jno  1712 

Van  Wyck  Jno  1716— not 

present 
Waters  Anthony  1705-10 

Jona.  1710-17 

Thos  1713 

Woolsey  Geo  1709 
Wood  Timothy  1714 

Jonas  1720 

Woodward  l^ath.  1720 
Wright  David  1702-9 

Henry  1705 

Jona.  1709-19 

WilletThos  1702 


25S  ADDENDA. 

XIII. 

Cotemporary  Ministers  of  Jamaica, 

DUTCH  REFORMED  CHURCH. 

1702-5  Ministers  from  N.  York  and  Kings  Co. 

1705-41  Bernardus  Freeman* 

1705-41  Vincentius  Antonides* 

1741-48  John  Henry  Goetschius 

1742-54  Johannes  Arondeiis* 

1754-60  Thos  Romeyn 

1766-72  Hermanns  L.  Boelen 

1775-6  Sol.  Froeleigh,  D.D. 

1781-4  Martinus  Schoonmaker* 

1785-97  Rynier  Van  Xest 

1792-1824  Zach.  H.  Kuypers 

1802-50  Jacob  Schoonmaker,  D.D. 

1835-49  Garret  J.  Garretson 

1851-  JohnB.  Aliger 

CHURCH    OF    ENGLAND. 

1702  Patrick  Gordon — Died  before  induction. 

1 704-9  AV"^  Urquhart 

1709-32  ThosPoyer 

1732-55  Thos  Colgan 

1757-66  Sam'l  Seabury 

1769-90  Joshua  Bloomer 

1790-95  W^Hammel 

1796  (2  months)  Chas  Seabury 

1797-1 802  Elijah  D.  Rattoone 

1803-4  Calvin  White 

1805  Geo.  Strebeck 

1806  Andrew  Fowler 

1807  John  Ireland 

1808  Edmund  D.  Barry 

1809  Timothy  Clowes 
1810-30  Gilbert  H.  Sayres 
1830-  W"  L.  Johnson,  D.D. 

*  Resided  in  Kings  Couutj. 


ADDENDA.  259 

XIY. 

The  First  Indian  Deed  for  the  Toivnship  7ioiv  called  Jamaica, 
referred  to  on  page  26. 

Be  it  known  unto  all  men  by  these  presents  that  we 
whose  names  are  underwritten,  have  sold  and  set  over  from 
ourselves,  our  heirs,  executors,  administrators  or  assigns 
unto  Mr.  Richard  Odell,  Nicholas  Tanner,  Richard  Ogden 
and  Nathaniel  Denton,  their  associates,  heirs,  executors, 
administrators  or  assigns  a  certain  tract  of  land  beginning 
at  a  great  swamp  lying  on  the  west  side  of  Rockeway 
neck,  and  so  running  westward  to  a  river  lying  on  the  east 
side  of  a  neck  of  land  which  Mr.  Coe  hath  hired  of  the 
Indians,  which  river  is  called  by  the  Indians,  Wauwee- 
bheag,  the  north  line  running  near  unto  or  about 
the  path  that  goes  from  Hemsted  to  Midlburroug,* 
with  all  the  uplands  ct  meadowing  within  the  aforesaid 
bounds,  with  all  privileges  &  appurtenances  thereunto  be- 
longing. In  consideration  whereof  the  aforesaid  Mr. 
Richard  Odell,  Nicholas  Tanner,  Richard  Ogden,  Nathan- 
iel Denton  &  their  associates  shall  give  unto  these  whose 
names  are  underwritten,  two  guns,  a  coat  &  a  certain 
quantity  of  powder  &  lead.  In  witness  whereof  we  have 
subscribed  our  hands  this  13th  of  September  Anno 
Domini  1655.  Their  marks. 

Witnesses.  rackquakek  + 

DANIEL    DENTON  EUNNASUK   + 

KODGER    +    LINAS  AUMERHAS    + 

CASPEROUW  +  CAUMENUK   + 

ADAM,  or  CHACHANAT   + 

ACHITTERENOSE  +  ASKASETONE  + 

WAUMETOMPACK  4 
MANGUAUOPE   + 
*  Newtown. 


APPENDIX 

CONTAINING    AN 

ACCOUNT  OF   THE   CELEBRATION  OF  THE  BICENTENNIAL 
ANNIVERSARY  OF  THE 

JAMAICA,  L.  I., 

HELD  ON  THE  7th,  8th  and  9th  OF  JANUARY,  1863. 

PREPAKED    BY    THE 

COMMITTEE    OF    AREANGEMENTS. 


APPENDIX. 


PRELIMINARY  ARRANGEMENTS — OPENING  EXERCISES  —  MURAL  TABLETS — SER- 
MON BY  DR,  MACDONALD —  INTERLOCUTORY  MEETING  OF  MINISTERS  IN  FORMER 
CONNECTION  WITH  THE  CHURCH  —  SERMON  BY  REV.  J.  M.  KREBS,  D.  D. — 
SERMON  BY  REV.  W.  P,  BREED  —  COMMUNION — LETTERS  FROM  DR.  WEED 
AND  OTHERS —  CONCLUDING  ADDRESS  BY  THE  PASTOR,  REV.  P.  D.  OAKEY  — 
"new   YORK    observer"    "  PRESBYTERIAN  " 

AT  a  meeting  of  the  Session  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  held  August  31st,  1861, 
the  Moderator  having  stated  that  on  January  next 
would  occur  the  two  hundreth  anniversary  of  the 
founding  of  the  church,  it  was  unanimously 

''''  Resolved^  That  from  a  sense  of  gratitude  to  God  for 
his  preserving  care  over  us  as  a  church  for  so  long  a 
period  of  time,  the  occasion  should  be  celebrated  with 
appropriate  services ;  and  that  the  Trustees  and  Deacons 
be  invited  to  meet  with  us  on  Wednesday,  September 
4th,  at  3  o'clock  p.  m.,  to  take  measures  for  carrying 
the  same  into  effect." 

The  Elders,  Trustees  and  Deacons  held  a  meeting  in 
the  Lecture  Room,  September  4th,  the  Pastor  in  the 
chair.  The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer,  and 
Latham  M.  Jaggar  appointed  Secretary.  The  following 
Pesolutions  were  adopted : 

^'  Hesolved^  That  it  is  highly  proper,  in  thankful  re- 


26i  APrENDIX. 

membrance  of  God's  goodness,  and  due  to  tlie  history 
of  the  past,  tliat  the  Bicentennial  Anniveraiy  of  this 
church  should  be  suitably  observed. 

Resolved^  That  the  Pastor,  Laurens  Reeve  and  John 
D.  Shelton,  M.  D.,  be  a  committee  to  make  all  neces- 
sary arrangements." 

Also  on  motion  of  the  Pastor,  the  following  preamble 
and  resolution  were  adopted  : 

"  ^Vheyeas,  The  Rev.  J.  M.  Macdonald,  D.  D.,  when 
pastor  of  this  church,  published  its  history  to  the  year 
1847  inclusive,  therefore 

'^Ecsolved,  That  the  Rev.  Dr.  Macdonald  be  invited 
to  preach  the  historical  sermon." 

It  was  also  voted  to  erect  mural  tablets  to  the 
memory  of  those  who  had  been  pastors  of  the  church. 

John  J.  Armstrong  was  subsequently  added  to  the 
committee. 

The  following  invitation  was  printed  and  circulated 
through  the  mail  and  by  the  press : 

Deak  Sir: 

With  tlie  close  of  the  present  year  a  period  of  two 
hundred  years  will  have  elapsed  smee  our  forefathers 
established  divine  worship  in  this  j^lace,  and  laid  the 
foundations  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  which  we  are 
members,  and  which  has  continued  to  the  present  time. 
It  has  appeared  proper  to  us,  their  descendants  and 
representatives,  that  an  occasion  so  rich  with  happy 
results  and  remembrances  should  not  be  permitted  to 
pass  without  some  suitable  commemorative  exercises. 
We  propose,  accordingly,  to  celebrate  it  with  appropriate 
services  expressive  of  gratitude  to  God,  who  has  thus  far 
helped  us.     We  wish  to  summon  together  from  far  and 


APPENDIX.  265 

near  our  friends  and  kindred  who  have,  as  ministers  or 
fellow  Christians,  held  church  relations  with  us,  to  unite 
Avith  us  in  a  social  Christian  re-union  and  a  season  of  re- 
ligious services,  to  commemorate  an  event  which  should 
awaken  in  every  heart  grateful  emotions. 

Providence  permitting,  the  services  will  commence  the 
Vth  of  January,  at  3  o'clock  p.  m.,  with  a  com- 
memorative sermon  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Macdonald,  D.  D. 
Communion  services  on  Thursday  afternoon. 

Please  let  us  know,  as  soon  as  convenient,  if  Ave  may 
expect  the  favor  of  your  company. 

Yours  very  resj^ectfully, 

P.  D.  Oakey,  ] 

Laueens   Reeve,  >-    Committee. 

De.  John  D.  Shelton,  j 
Jamaica,  L.  L,  Nov.,  1861. 

The  following  invitation  was  sent  to  the  different 
pulpits  in  the  vicinity  : 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Jamaica  contemplate  cele- 
brating their  two  hundredth  anniversary  with  appropriate 
exercises,  commencing  on  Tuesday,  January  Tth,  at  3 
o'clock  p.  m.,  with  a  commemorative  sermon  by  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Macdonald.  This  congregation  is  respectfully  invited 
to  participate  in  the  exercises, 

By  order  of  the  Session, 

P.  D.  Oakey,  Moderator. 

The  following  was  the  order  of  exercises  adopted  hj 
the  committee : 

''  Services  to  commence  Tuesday,  January  7th,  at 
3  o'clock  p.  M.,  by  the  Pastor  dedicating  the  mural 
13 


266  APPENDIX. 

tablets,  to  be  followed  with  the  commemorative  sermon 
by  Eev.  Dr.  Macdonald.  Wednesday  morning  a 
meeting  for  free  conversation  by  the  ministers  present 
who  have  been  born  in  this  church,  or  who  have  com- 
menced their  religious  life  or  education  in  connection 
with  it.  The  afternoon  to  be  appropriated  to  social 
receptions  and  calls.  Wednesday  evening  a  sermon 
by  the  Kev.  Dr.  Krebs,  of  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York.  On  Thursday  morning  a  sermon  by  the  Hev. 
Wm.  P.  Breed,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  ;*  in 
the  afternoon  the  communion,  administered  by  the 
oldest  minister  present." 

On  Tuesday  afternoon,  January  Tth,  at  3  o'clock,  a 
very  large  congregation  assembled  in  the  church. 
After  the  invocation  by  the  pastor  the  Scriptures  were 
read  and  a  very  appropriate  prayer  oifered  by  Pev. 
N.  E.  Smith,  D.  D.,  of  Brooklyn.  The  Bible  used  on 
this  occasion  was  the  oldest  pulpit  Bible  belonging  to 
this  church,  which  has  been  preserved,  being  an  Edin- 
burgh edition  published  in  1769,  On  the  fly  leaf  is 
the  following  inscription  in  the  hand-writing  of  the 
Pev.  Mr.  Burnett :  "  This  Bible  belongs  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Jamaica,  Long  Island.  April  20, 
1776." — An  important  period  in  American  history— 
when  Washington  was  in  New  York  city,  preparing 
its  defences ;  and  but  a  short  time  before  the  adoption 
of  the  immortal  Declaration  of  Independence  of  the 
United  States. 

*  The  Jamaica  Church  was  one  of  the  original  churches  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  New  York,  which  was  well  represented  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Krebs,  D.D. 
The  Rev.  W.  P.  Breed  was  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  as 
their  representative,  the  Japaaica  Church  being  one  of  the  earliest  members 
of  the  mother  Presbytery,  or,  as  assertec}  by  one  qualified  to  judge,  '*  the 
mother  of  the  motbPF  Presbytery." 


APPENDIX.  267 

After  prayer  the  following  address,  dedicatory  of  the 
mural  tablets  just  erected,  was  made  by  the  pastor : 

"To-day  dates  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  this  church. 
The  spirit  of  that  history  is  upon  us.  The  associations 
of  the  past  gather  around  us.  We  summon  from  their 
graves  the  generations  of  our  fathers  according  to  the 
flesh  who  have  here  engaged  in  the  services  of  the 
sanctuary,  and  our  fathers  in  the  ministry  who  conduc- 
ted these  services.  For  two  hundred  years  they  and 
their  descendants,  as  a  united  church  and  congrega- 
tion, have  in  this  place  worshipped  the  God  of  their 
fathers.  But  'your  fathers,  where  are  they?  and 
the  prophets,  do  they  live  for  ever? '  As  sacred  to  the 
memory  of  those  who  here  '  laboured  in  the  word  and 
doctrine,'  as  a  memento  of  proper  affection  for  them 
'  who  being  dead  yet  speak,'  as  a  matter  of  gratitude 
to  God  who  so  early  in  the  history  of  this  country  here 
planted  this  church,  and  gave  to  it  a  succession  of  able 
and  faithful  ministers,  as  in  every  way  fitting  the  oc- 
casion we  celebrate,  we  this  day  inaugurate  these  ex- 
ercises by  dedicating  these  mural  tablets  to  perpetuate 
their  names,  and  cherish  the  influence,  w^hich  if  living 
they  would  have  imparted. 

"These  stones  are  our  Ebenezer — ^liitherto  hath  the 
Lord  helped  us.  They  will  be  a  link,  binding  the 
present  to  the  past.  Their  perusal  will  not  fail  to 
awaken  profitable  musings  in  the  reflecting  mind,  car- 
rying anticipatory  thoughts  to  the  grave,  and  to  the 
place  where  are  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect, 
and  where  the  earthly  worshipper  shall  ere  long  join 
his  hallelujahs  with  the  songs  of  those  who  have  gone 
before.     And  they  will  speak  with  the  uniform  testi- 


268  APPENDIX. 

mony  of  the  cliurcli's  experience  that  God  in  covenant 
is  a  God  to  them  that  fear  him  and  their  seed  after 
them  in  their  generations.  The  evoked  voice  of  these 
tablets,  as  read  from  the  spirit  of  the  past,  will  say  to 
the  guardians  of  the  Sacred  Desk :  preach  the  Gospel, 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus ;  and  to  the  responsibilities 
of  those  who  enjoy  Gospel  privileges,  'Take  heed  how 
ye  hear.'  And  the  abiding  effect  which  we  would  leave 
as  the  engraved  sentiment  of  these  stones  is  in  the 
words  of  Paul  to  the  Hebrew  Christians  concerning 
their  deceased  Pastors  :  '  Remember  them  which  have 
the  rule  over  you,  who  have  spoken  unto  you  the  word 
of  God ;  whose  faith  follow,  considering  the  end  of 
their  conversation :  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday, 
and  to-day,  and  for  ever.' 

"  But  we  turn  from  the  dead  to  the  living.  There 
is  a  connection  between  the  two.  As  tlie  descendants 
by  family  ties  or  church  relation,  of  those  whose  mem- 
ory we  revere,  we  extend  to  you  our  cordial  greeting 
and  welcome.  We  welcome  you  to  a  particij)ation  in 
these  exercises.  Many  of  you  here  will  revisit  the  scenes 
of  your  childhood,  and  revive  youthful  impressions  and 
friendships.  Some  of  you  here  began  your  heaven- 
ward journey,  and  consecrated  yourselves  to  your  life- 
lons:  work  in  the  service  of  God.  Here  at  the  altar 
of  your  early  consecration  may  you  receive  a  fresh 
baptism  for  your  holy  work.  And  your  souls  mingling 
with  kindred  spirits,  and  communing  with  thoughts  of 
the  past,  be  sweetly  bathed  afresh  with  the  light  of 
Divine  Love,  and  spiritual  joy.  We  welcome  you  to 
our  homes  and  hearts.  Mingle  your  prayers  and 
praises  with  ours.     "We  have  looked  forward  to  this 


APPENDIX.  269 

season  with  prayerful  interest  as  a  means  of  grace. 
And  now  may  the  Divine  influence  of  the  ever  blessed 
Sj^irit  be  shed  copiously  upon  these  exercises  and  their 
participators,  and  to  the  triune  God  of  our  salvation, 
the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Spirit,  shall  be  given  the 
glory  evermore.     Amen." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Macdonald  then  preached  a  very  able 
and  interesting  historical  sermon  from  Eccles.  i.  4: 
''  One  generation  passeth  away,  and  another  generation 
cometh ;  but  the  earth  abideth  for  ever."  This  dis- 
course, which  was  requested  for  publication,  constitutes 
the  main  body  of  this  work. 

On  Wednesday  morning,  at  half-past  ten,  a  large 
audience  assembled  in  the  church,  to  engage  in  a  con- 
ference meeting  of  the  old  friends  who  had  come  to 
join  in  the  festive  occasion.  The  pastor  stated  that  this 
was  a  meeting  of  the  friends  from  a  distance,  to  be 
under  their  particular  care,  and  conducted  as  they 
thought  most  fitting.  He  therefore  called  upon  them 
to  appoint  a  chairman  from  their  own  number ;  where- 
upon Dr.  Macdonald  was  selected  to  preside.  The 
chairman  stated  that  the  meeting  would  be  left  mainly 
to  shape  itself.  He  then  called  on  the  Rev.  John 
Wickes,  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  of 
Brighton,  I^.  Y.,  to  offer  prayer.  The  presiding  officer 
said  that  there  were  three  persons  there  who  had  been 
acting  elders  of  this  church  more  than  forty  years.  He 
would  call  on  one  of  these,  his  venerable  friend.  Dr. 
Nathan  Shelton,  to  address  them.  The  Dr.  made 
some  brief  and  appropriate  remarks,  telling  of  his 
hearing  fifty  years  ago  of  one  of  the  female  members 


270  APPENDIX. 

of  this  churcli  who  was  very  much  in  prayer,  and  on 
one  occasion  kneeled  down  at  bedtime  to  pray,  and  be- 
came so  engaged  that  when  she  closed,  to  her  surprise 
it  was  daylight. 

Following  the  Dr.  was  the  Rev.  J.  Wickes,  son  of 
Yan  Wyck  Wickes,  Esq.,  a  former  resident  of  the  vil- 
lage. He  told  of  his  love  for  the  place  and  congrega- 
tion, and  though  this  was  not  the  place  of  his  spiritual 
birth,  yet  it  was  here  at  that  altar  that  he  was  dedica- 
ted to  God  in  baptism  by  his  pious  parents.  He  gave 
his  testimony  to  the  fidelity  of  God  to  his  covenant, 
and  found  verification  of  this  in  the  experience  of  his 
father's  household.  God  hath  brought  one  after  anoth- 
er of  them  into  the  fold ;  and  parental  faith  and 
covenant  vows  with  the  baptismal  seal  had  not  been 
in  vain. 

Dr.  Macdonald  then,  by  a  happy  reference  to  the 
Kev.  Elias  W.  Crane,  a  departed  Pastor  of  blessed 
memory,  introduced  his  son,  the  Rev.  Elias  N.  Crane, 
of  New  Yernon,  N.  J.,  who  addressed  the  audience  in- 
terestingly, referring  to  the  happy  days  of  his  youth ; 
especially  to  the  precious  privileges  of  the  Sunday 
School,  and  the  faithful  superintendent,  who  for  more 
than  thirty  years  has  presided  and  labored  and  prayed 
there.  He  read  also  an  old  paper  on  which  w^ere  the 
names  of  the  officers  appointed  at  the  organization  of 
the  first  Temperance  Society  in  Jamaica,  in  the  year 
1827,  thirty-five  years  ago.     They  were  as  follows  : 

President — Yan  AYyck  Wickes. 

Vice  Presidents — Eliphalet  Wickes,  Kathan  Shelton. 

Secretary — ^Elias  W.  Crane. 

Treasurer — James  Rider. 


APPENDIX.  271 

Managers — J.  Itliodes,  Jr.,  C.  Smith,  L.  Keeve,  G. 
Creed,  N.  Carpenter,  W.  J.  Johnson  M.D.,  D.  Bergen 
and  M.  W.  Fox. 

Mr.  Crane  was  followed  by  Eev.  B.  S.  E  veritt,  of  Black- 
woodtown,  N.  J.,  who  appeared  as  the  descendant  of 
the  first  founders  of  the  church,  as  the  representative 
of  the  rural  district,  and  being  also  one  of  the  two  last 
that  have  gone  forth  from  the  membership  of  the 
church  to  preach  the  Gospel ;  having  been  in  the  minis- 
try but  three  years,  and  consequently,  as  he  looked  at 
his  audience  saw  very  few  unfamiliar  faces.  He,  too, 
added  his  testimony  to  the  inestimable  value  of  Sab- 
bath School  instruction  and  the  sure  blessing  of  God 
that  will  follow  fidelity  on  the  part  of  parents  to  their 
covenant  obligations. 

The  next  speaker  was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Mcholas  Everitt 
Smith,  (altogether  a  Jamaica  name)  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
He  spake  of  the  old  stone  church  that  stood  in  the 
Main  Street,  where  now  Union  Hall  Street  enters  it. 
He  exhibited  a  diagram  of  the  church  and  told  how  his 
father  (now  ninety-four  years  old)  saw  a  man  who  bet 
he  could  ride  on  horseback  at  full  speed  in  at  the  west 
door  and  out  of  the  east  of  that  old  church,  and  how 
the  bettor  actually  performed  the  feat. 

The  next  speaker  was  the  Kev.  Mr.  Breed,  Pastor  of 
the  West  Spruce  Street  Church,  Philadelphia,  who 
came  as  the  representative  of  the  Old  Mother  Presby- 
tery of  Philadelphia,  and  gave  its  congratulations  to 
all  on  this  interesting  occasion,  and  though  he  came 
here  a  stranger  yet  he  found  his  heart  so  warmed  and 
touched  by  the  interesting  exercises  to  which  he  had 
listened  that  he  really  felt  as  one  of  them,  a  member 


272  APPENDIX. 

of  the  same  liouseliokl,  having  with  them  a  common 
Saviour  and  Father. 

Rev.  Dr.  Krebs,  of  Rutgers  Street  Church,  'New 
York  city,  came  to  represent  the  Presbytery  of  ^ew 
York,  and  the  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Reeve,  that  of  Long  Ishmd, 
each  of  which  made  brief  and  engaging  remarks.  The 
services  closed  by  the  reading  of  letters  from  Rev.  Dr. 
Phillips,  of  I^ew  York  city,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  R. 
Weed,  of  Wheeling,  Ya.,  the  oldest  living  pastor  of  the 
church,  and  others,  w^ith  a  brief  address  and  prayer  by 
the  Rev.  Daniel  Higbie,  (another  child  of  the  church,) 
of  Orange  County,  N.  Y. 

LETTER    OF    KEV.    H.    K.    WEED,    D.  D. 

Mr.  Laurens  Reeve,  Wheeling^  Nov.  11  th,  1861. 

My  Dear  Friend, — Your  favour  of  the  20th  Septem- 
ber, was  duly  received  and  its  contents  awakened  me- 
mories of  great  interest  in  my  early  ministry.  To  no 
period  of  my  life  does  my  mind  recur  with  greater 
l^leasure  than  to  the  time  I  spent  in  the  dear  old 
church  of  Jamaica,  and  should  I  be  so  happy  as  to 
find  my  final  home  in  our  heavenly  Father's  house,  I  ex- 
pect to  meet  many  there  Avhom  I  was  permitted  in  the 
ardor  of  my  youth  successfully  to  point  to  "  the  Way,  the 
Truth,  and  the  Life."  Later  events,  too,  I  have  witnessed 
of  a  soul  stirring  character  in  your  congregation,  that  liave 
left  an  indelible  impression  on  my  mind.  Indeed,  the 
history  of  that  church  is  one  of  great  interest  from  early 
times.  Its  old  records  and  the  traditionary  accounts  cur- 
rent among  the  elder  members  in  my  day,  were  such  as 
pertain  to  no  other  church  in  our  connection,  and  fully 
justify  the  commemoration  you  contemplate.  I  trust  the 
occasion  wiU  be  profitable  to  all  concerned,  and  redound  to 


APPENDIX.  273 

a  new  display  of  that  glorious  grace  that  has  eminently 
distinguished  the  history  of  your  venerable  old  church. 

Let  me  say,  in  conclusion,  that  while  I  feel  flattered  by 
the  invitation  to  attend,  and  by  the  kind  remembrance  of 
all  surviving  friends  among  you,  my  age  and  infirmities 
forbid  me  to  indulge  the  hope  of  being  with  you. 

Please  give  assurances  of  my  aifectionate  regard  to  all 
inquiring  friends,  and  believe  me. 

Very  truly  yours, 

H.  E.  Weed. 

LETTER    OF    KEV.    THOMAS    WICKES. 

P.  D.  Oakey,  ETC.,  Marietta,  Ohio,  Jan.  2f/,  1862. 

Gentlemen, — I  received  your  kind  invitation  to  partici- 
pate in  the  celebration  of  the  200th  Anniversary  of  the 
founding  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Jamaica.  Be  assured 
that  it  would  afford  me  the  highest  gratification  to  be  present 
with  you  on  this  most  interesting  occasion,  meeting  again 
those  whom  once  I  knew  so  well,  and  with  them  reviewing 
all  the  previous  memories  of  the  past,  and  the  goodness  of 
our  God.  Never  shall  I  forget  Jamaica,  though  for  many 
years  separated  from  it.  It  is  my  birth-place  in  a  double 
sense,  the  scene  of  my  natural  and  spiritual  birth.  I  re- 
member its  Sabbath  School,  where  one  of  your  number 
was  my  loved  teacher.  I  remember  its  sanctuary  and  its 
consecrated  place  of  prayer.  I  remember  some  of  its  pre- 
cious revivals  of  religion  there  experienced,  for  Avliich  I 
have  such  reason  to  thank  God  and  rejoice. 

The  first  minister  whom  I  recollect  was  Dr.  Weed,  now 
labouring  Avithin  80  miles  of  me  at  Wheeling,  Avhere  he  is 
finishing  his  earthly  work  by  a  pastorate  of  more  than  25 
years.  I  well  remember  the  grief  that  was  awakened  by 
the  announcement  of  his  intention  to  leave.  It  made  a 
strong  impression  upon  my  youthful  mind. 
13* 


274  APPENDIX. 

Mr.  Nettleton  came  in  1826,  and  with  him  came  the  Spirit 
of  God  in  mighty  power.  Those  scenes  I  remember  well. 
It  was  the  first  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  of  which  I  knew. 
It  was  not  however  until  the  revival  of  1831,  that  I  was 
brought  to  a  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  enabled  to  devote 
myself  to  his  service.  With  the  history  of  the  church  for 
the  last  25  years  or  more,  I  have  not  been  so  familiar. 
With  sincerest  pleasure  however  would  I  be  with  you  on 
the  coming  week,  were  it  in  my  power,  and  participate  in 
all  the  interests  of  the  occasion.  You  have  my  sympathies 
and  prayers  as  one  of  the  spiritual  children  of  that  church 
honoured  also  of  Christ,  with  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
and  a  pastorate  over  the  Congregational  Church  in  this 
place  of  22  years,  the  close  of  the  present  month. 

May  the  Lord  abide  with  you  still,  making  that  church 
his  joy  and  crown,  from  which  a  multitude  of  faithful  ones 
shall  be  raised  up  to  be  found  worthy  of  Christ,  at  his 
coming  and  kingdom. 

Yours  very  sincerely  in  the  bonds  of  Christ, 

Thomas  Wickes. 

LETTER    OF   EEV.    W.    W.    PniLLIPS,    D.D. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Bro.,  New  York,  Jan.  3o?,  1862. 

I  thank  you  for  the  invitation  which  has  been  sent  me, 
to  be  present  at  the  celebration  of  the  200th  Anniversary 
of  your  church.  It  would  gratify  me  very  much  to  accept 
it.  I  have  found  however  that,  as  I  am  situated,  it  will  not 
be  in  my  power  to  be  with  you.  It  appears  from  our  re- 
cords that  the  church  at  Jamaica  did  at  one  time  very 
reluctantly,  and  against  their  consent  furnish  the  1st 
church  in  New  York,  then  in  Wall  Street,  one  of  their  most 
acceptable  pastors.  Rev.  D.  Bostwick.  Your  church  has 
been  a  remarkably  favoured  one,  and  furnishes  a  most  in- 
teresting history.     How  many  precious  souls  have  there 


APPENDIX.  275 

been  gathered  into  the  fold  above  ?  What  an  instance  of 
faithfulness  on  the  part  of  our  common  God,  to  preserve  a 
people  called  by  his  name  and  to  dwell  with  them,  giving 
them  tokens  of  his  presence,  and  displaying  the  riches  of 
his  grace  for  200  years !  Yet  it  is  not  strange,  since  he  has 
made  with  them  an  everlasting  covenant  ordered  in  all 
things  and  sure.  May  his  presence  abide  with  you  ever- 
more, and  your  experience  of  his  past  favours  be  as  the 
first  fruits  only  of  what  is  in  reserve  for  you. 

Affectionately  and  truly  yours, 

Rev.  p.  D.  Oakey.  W.  W.  Phillips. 


LETTER   OF   THOMAS   S.    WICKES,    ESQ. 

Laurens  Reeve,  Esq.         Poughkeeime^  Jan.  1st,  1862. 

Dear  Sir, — I  had  the  favour  of  receiving  a  few  days  since, 
a  circular,  to  which  your  name  with  others  was  appended, 
inviting  me  to  be  present  at  Jamaica  on  the  7th  inst.,  to  join 
•with  others  in  celebrating  the  first  founding  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  that  place.  The  design  seems  highly 
appropriate,  and  did  my  health  permit,  I  should  be  very 
happy  to  participate  in  those  services.  As  it  is,  I  cannot 
at  present  leave  my  home. 

Many  associations  connect  me  with  the  Jamaica  Presby- 
terian Church.  I  delight  to  think  of  those  days  of  mercy, 
which  God  has  shown  so  abundantly  there — of  the  many 
honoured  names,  written  upon  the  history  of  that  church, 
whose  memory  is  blessed. 

God  grant  that  the  recollections  of  the  past  may  be  full 
of  cheer  and  encouragement  for  the  future. 

With  sentiments  of  kind  regard  and  Christian  fellow- 
ship, I  remain,  yours, 

Thomas  S.  Wickes. 


Y6  APPENDIX. 

EXTRACT    OF    A    LETTER   FROM    REV.    E.    N.    CRA:NE. 

Rev.  p.  T>.  Oakey  :  JVeiv  Vernon,  Dec.  11th,  1861. 

DearBro.,—         *  *  *  *  *         *         * 

As  you  may  suppose,  the  occasion  would  be  one  of  great 
and  peculiar  interest  to  me.  Most  of  my  father's  ministerial 
life  was  spent  at  Jamaica,  and  there  he  rested  from  his 
labours,  and  lies  in  the  graveyard  beside  my  mother. 
There  I  Avas  born  and  baptized  and  passed  my  childhood 
and  early  youth.  There  I,  and  my  three  sisters  and  a 
brother  professed  our  faith  in  Christ  and  united  with  God's 
people,  and  there  I  made  one  of  my  earliest  eiforts  to 
preach  the  Gospel.  Well  do  I  love  Jamaica  and  the  old 
church,  though  so  little  associated  with  them  of  late  years. 
My  heart  will  ever  pray  for  the  peace  and  prosperity  of 
Zion  there.  Ever  may  her  "  walls  be  called  Salvation  and 
her  gates  Praise."  Yours  fraternally, 

E.  N.  Crane. 

In  the  evening  the  Church  was  again  crowded, 
when  Dr,  Ivrebs  delivered  the  following  Exordium  and 
Sermon ; 

EXORDIUM  REMOTUM. 

It  was  formerly  the  custom  in  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  at  some  time  in  the  service  previous  to  the 
sei'moji,  to  prepare  the  way  for  it  by  what  was  called 
the  "  Exordium  Remotum."  I  shall  take  the  liberty,  on 
the  present  occasion,  of  following  the  example.  Under 
other  circumstances,  I  would  not  presume  to  offer  the 
suggestion  which  I  now  design  to  throw  before  you. 
I  hope  to  be  justified  at  this  time,  speaking  in  the  midst 
of  your  rejoicings,  and  welcomed  among  you  as  almost 
one  of  yourselves. 


APPENDIX.  2T7 

Two  passages  of  Scripture  I  commend  to  yom*  con- 
sideration. 

"  Moreover,  I  will  appoint  a  place  for  my  people  Israel,  and  will  plant 
them,  that  thej  may  dwell  in  a  place  of  their  own  and  move  no  more." — 
2d  Samuel  vii.  10. 

"Enlarge  the  place  of  thy  tent,  and  let  them  stretch  forth  the  curtains  of 
thine  habitations  :  spare  not,  lengthen  thy  cords,  and  strengthen  thy  stakes : 
For  thou  shalt  break  forth  on  thy  right  hand,  and  on  thy  left." — Isaiah  liv. 
2,  3. 

Home^  Peace^  Increase.  Tliese  are  tlie  elements  of 
blessing  indicated  by  tliese  passages.  Precious  to  us 
as  individuals,  as  families,  as  a  people,  as  citizens  or 
as  Christians,  as  a  civil  community  or  as  a  Church. 
Dear  is  the  hearth-stone  and  the  homestead  where  God 
setteth  the  solitary  in  families ;  and  goodly  and  pleas- 
ant is  it  for  brethren  to  dw^ell  together  in  unity,  sitting 
in  peace  under  their  own  vine  and  fig-tree  and  none  to 
make  them  afraid.  Sweet,  too,  to  go  to  the  house  of 
God  in  company  with  them  who  are  likeminded,  heirs 
of  like  precious  faith,  the  associates  of  our  childhood, 
the  guides,  the  acquaintance  with  whom  we  took  sweet 
counsel  together,  the  familiar  friends  w^hose  counten- 
ances greet  us  in  the  walks  of  life,  w^hose  sympathies 
are  cherished  amid  the  associations  of  worship  and 
communion  in  the  same  holy  truths  and  songs  of  j)raise 
and  labours  and  cares,  in  the  same  sanctuary  and  en- 
joyments of  the  same  ministrations.  Dear,  too,  to 
patriotism  and  piety  the  contemplation  of  the  j^urposes 
and  promises  of  security  and  enlargement  in  reference 
to  the  people  to  whom  we  belong,  an  inheritance  both 
for  possession  and  for  communication,  a  prosperity 
wdiich  grows  within  our  borders  and  around  them,  till 
the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  are  glad  for  us 


278  APPENDIX. 

and  the  desert  rejoices  and  blossoms  as  the  rose.  Thus 
does  Jehovah  promise  Israel,  and  thus,  especially,  He 
declares  His  purposes  in  regard  to  the  security  and  en- 
largement of  that  holy  nation,  the  generation  which 
He  has  chosen  and  ordained  to  be  a  royal  priesthood 
to  minister  the  sacrifices  of  His  praise,  and  to  make  all 
men  see  what  is  the  fellowship  of  the  mystery  which 
from  the  beginning  of  the  world  hath  been  hid  in  God 
who  created  all  things  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  intent 
that  now  unto  the  principalities  and  powers  in  heav- 
enly places  might  be  known  by  the  Church  the  mani- 
fold wisdom  of  God, 

Here,  too,  is  an  implication  of  the  interest  we  ought 
to  take  in  all  that  relates  to  this  great  cause  and  of  our 
personal  obligation  to  promote  it :  an  obligation  which 
rests  not  on  ministers  only,  but  on  all  the  people  of  God. 

This  interesting  anniversary  may  be  used,  I  think, 
to  suggest  large  illustration  of  the  duty  and  the  priv- 
ilege to  which  you  are  come  who  have  entered  on  the 
inheritance  transmitted  to  you  by  two  centuries.  Other 
men  have  laboured,  and  you  have  entered  upon  their 
labours.  Your  heritage  is  a  responsibility.  By  ac- 
cepting it  and  improving  it  you  will  shew  yourselves 
worthy  children  of  worthy  progenitors.  I  recognize 
gladly,  and  congratulate  you  while  I  recognize,  the 
prosperity  you  enjoy  and  the  service  and  success  of 
those  whom  you  have  sent  forth  to  till  other  fields,  of 
which  we  have  had  example  to-day  in  your  sons  who 
have  returned  to  tell  you  of  their  ministries  elsewhere, 
and  in  the  reports  that  have  been  brought  you  from 
others  whose  blessing  also  comes  back  to  you.  For  a 
recompense  in  the  same,  be  ye  also  enlarged. 


APPENDIX.  279 

This  commemoration  is  well.  But  does  it  not  become 
you  to  make  the  occasion  monmnental  f  Whether  you 
should  engage  in  the  work  of  Church  extension  in  one 
form  rather  than  in  another,  you  are  better  able  to 
judge  than  I  am.  But  I  have  heard  that  the  place  in 
which  you  worship  is  too  strait  for  your  increasing 
numbers.  Why  should  you  not  signalize  your  grate- 
ful zeal  hy  erecting  on  this  sacred  spot  another  edifice 
of  more  enduring  material^  more  tasteful  and  conven- 
ient^ and  of  ampler  accommodation^  while  the  building 
-in  which  we  are  now  assembled  may  be  removed  and 
still  devoted  to  kindred  uses  ? 

Do  not  be  startled  at  this  hroad  hint.  Do  not  too 
readily  conclude  against  it  by  alleging  that  this  house 
will  answer  all  your  need  for  a  good  while  to  come. 
You  may  think  so  :  others  will  not  accept  your  decision. 
Your  pleasant  village  is  growing.  It  is  attracting  re- 
sidents from  the  neighbouring  metropolis.  It  is  des- 
tined to  be  girdled  with  tasteful  villas  and  to  be  en- 
larged with  new  accessions.  Already  you  are  compelled 
to  deny  or  to  restrict  the  accommodation  of  those  who 
desire  to  worship  with  you.  You  cannot  long  afford  to 
act  upon  a  narrow  and  short-sighted  policy.  The 
overflowing  population  will  seek  accommodation  else- 
where— and  it  may  be,  for  such  things  have  been — 
you  may  And  organizations  and  churches  growing  up 
altogether  separated  from  you,  with  fruitful  rivalries 
and  jealousies,  which  might  be  prevented  forever  by  a 
timely  provision  for  the  increasing  numbers  who  are 
now  desirous  only  to  be  joined  with  you  even  as  they 
are  in  the  Spirit,  joying  and  heholding  your  order  and 
the  steadfastness  of  your  faith  in  Christ,     Now,  there- 


280  APPENDIX. 

fore,  thank  God  and  take  courage.      The  joy  of  the 
Lord  is  your  strength. 

SUBSTANCE   OF   SERMON. 
"The  joy  of  the  Lord  is  your  strength." — NEHE^fIAH  viii.  10. 

To  be  sorrowful  under  calamity  is  neither  unnatural 
nor  unsuitable, — especially  to  be  sorry  for  our  sins. 
Yet,  is  it  consistent  with  cheerfulness  in  view  of  the 
grace  that  saves.  Grief  may  be  indulged  immoderately 
and  untimely.  Upon  the  return  of  the  Jews  from  cap- 
tivity and  the  restoration  of  their  worship,  they  were 
glad ;  but  as  they  listened  to  the  law  they  felt  their 
sins,  tlieir  hearts  sunk,  and  they  wept  aloud.  They 
were  dissuaded  from  this  excess,  and  were  reminded  of 
all  the  mercy  which  had  forgiven  their  sins  and  restored 
them  to  the  privileges  they  had  inherited  from  their 
fathers,  and  they  were  exhorted  to  give  themselves  up 
to  holy  festivity  and  to  display  kindness  to  the  destitute 
as  a  token  of  tlieir  prosperity  and  gratitude ;  and  it  was 
added,  "Neither  be  ye  sorry,  for  the  joy  of  the  Lord  is 
your  strength." 

The  joy  of  the  Lord.  God  is  often  said  to  rejoice 
over  His  people.  His  delight  is  in  them.  They  are  to 
Him  a  holy  satisfaction ;  as  are  faithful  children  to 
their  parents.  And  if  this  were  what  is  meant  by  the 
"joy  of  the  Lord"  in  the  text  it  would  be  equally  true 
as  a  declaration  of  tlie  cause  of  our  strength  and  the 
element  of  our  joy,  our  safety  and  defence. 

But  it  is  rather  used  subjectively,  to  express  that  joy 
which  we  have  from  the  Lord  and  in  Him.  Since  it  is 
God's  joy  in  His  people  in  saving  and  blessing  them 


-'"^"^^  APPENDIX.  281 

Avliicli  furnishes  joj  to  their  own  souls.  And  tin's  aiFec- 
tion  of  theirs  is  the  "joy  of  the  Lord,"  because  (1)  It 
comes  from  God.  He  imparts  it — He  produces  it.  It 
is  His  gift  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  it  is  the  work  o 
the  IIolj  Spirit.  It  is  divine  in  its  nature,  like  that 
wdiich  God  liimself  feels  in  objects  that  are  good.  It 
arises  from  a  sense  of  the  mercies  of  God — all  His 
favour  in  redemption,  in  the  blessings  of  His  covenant, 
His  kindlj  providence,  all  the  portion  He  has  pre- 
pared for  his  people.  (2)  AYe  have  this  joy  i?i  God. 
"We  joy  in  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by 
whom  now  we  have  received  the  atonenient  [or  the 
reconciliation]."  By  virtue  of  our  reconciliation  to 
God,  Jehovah  becomes  our  portion,  our  dependence, 
hope  and  trust  and  love.  Once  it  Avas  not  so.  The 
Christian  did  not  then  know  God,  nor  Jesus  Christ. 
He  was  opposed  to  God ;  he  was  jealous  and  afraid  of 
God ;  he  saw  no  form  nor  comeliness  in  Christ ;  He 
trusted  in  himself,  and  looked  for  his  portion  in  his 
fleshly  idols. 

A  change  has  come.  He  has  become  acquainted 
with  God,  and  is  at  peace.  He  has  fellowship  with  the 
Father  and  with  His  Son.  Jesus  is  precious.  The  love 
of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  his  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 
He  delights  himself  in  the  Lord,  in  His  supremacy  and 
holiness,  in  His  law  and  grace,  in  His  holy  providence 
and  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises.  He  walks 
Avith  God.  He  looks  to  Him  to  sup])ly  all  his  need 
from  the  riches  of  His  glory  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  his 
hope  of  heaven  is  that  there  he  shall  be  for  ever  with 
the  Lord. — As  Ascqj^h,  '^^Vhom  have  I  in  heaven  but 
thee,  and  there  is  none  upon  the  earth  that  I  desire  be- 


282  APPENDIX. 

side  thee;"  or  as  Davidj  "Thou  art  fairer  than  tlie 
children  of  men;"  or  as  the  Churchy  "Thou  art  the 
chiefest  among  ten  thousands  and  altogether  lovely." 

This  joy  is  our  strength.  It  fortifies  the  believer  in 
his  attachment  to  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel.  Men 
without  an  experimental  knowledge  of  the  doctrines  of 
grace,  disparage  and  deny  them.  But  let  one  feel 
those  truths  in  their  effects  upon  the  heart;  let  him 
realize  his  guilt  and  his  depravity,  and  cry  out  in 
anguish,  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ? "  let  him 
realize  the  grace  and  power  of  Christ  to  save  him  ; 
let  him  taste  the"  joy  and  peace  of  believing  and  the 
attraction  of  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  his  heart 
by  the  Holy  Ghost ;  let  him  bask  in  the  light  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  by  Jesus  Christ,  and 
adore  with  grateful  wonder  the  sovereign  mercy  which 
begot  him  anew  by  His  resurrection  to  the  lively  hope 
of  the  immortal  inheritance ; — let  him  feel  all  this,  and 
you  have  before  you  a  man  to  whom  all  the  truths  of 
the  gospel  are  precious  and  nourishing  as  the  very 
life  of  the  soul.  You  cannot  make  him  relinquish 
them.  He  knows  whom  He  has  believed ;  and  the  joy 
of  his  salvation  anchors  his  soul  fast  to  all  the  counsel 
of  God. 

It  is  an  element  of  our  growth  in  grace.  "  Unto  you 
that  fear  my  name  shall  the  sun  of  righteousness  arise 
with  healing  in  his  wings :  and  ye  shall  go  forth  and 
grow  up  as  calves  of  the  stall."  Diseased  by  sin  and 
enfeebled,  we  begin  the  Christian  life  in  weakness  :  we 
are  as  those  who  are  recovering  from  sickness,  while 
the  genial  influence  of  the  sun  and  the  sweet  breath  of 
heaven  animate  the  convalescent  and  impart  life  and 


APPENDIX.  283 

bounding  joy  and  invigorate  all  the  powers.  A  merry 
heart  doeth  good  like  a  medicine.  Let  the  Christian 
be  joyful  in  the  Lord.  All  liis  faculties  shall  work  in 
harmony  ;  his  soul  shall  grow  in  knowledge,  love,  and 
purity  and  power.  Even  as  when  the  circulation  flows 
buoyantly  through  the  veins,  the  blood  briskly  fulfils 
its  course,  health  mantles  the  cheeks,  the  spirits  bound, 
the  limbs  play,  the  activje  powers  develope  in  healthful 
and  vigorous  growth  ;  even  as  the  skipping  heifer  fat- 
ted at  the  stall  furnishes  an  image  of  happy  life  re- 
joicing in  the  freedom  as  well  as  the  fatness  of  the 
open  pastures. 

This  joy  is  our  support  under  trials.  A  wounded 
spirit  who  can  bear  ?  It  is  weak  and  wasted,  and  in- 
capable of  exertion  and  of  hope.  But  if  the  heart  be 
joyous — if  it  knows  the  joy  of  the  Lord,  it  regards 
affliction  as  light,  and  patience  performs  its  perfect 
work.  Joseph  in  the  prison,  Daniel  in  the  den  of 
lions,  the  Hebrew  children  in  the  burning  fiery  fur- 
nace, Paul  and  Silas  bleeding  in  their  midnight  dun- 
geon, David  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death, — all 
have  supports  and  comforts,  and  they  learn  even  to  glory 
in  their  tribulation,  which  was  producing  the  peaceable 
fruits  of  righteousness  and  begetting  hope  that  should 
never  be  ashamed  nor  confounded.  "Thy  statutes  are 
my  song  in  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage." 

This  joy  is  our  guard  and  defence  against  tempta- 
tion. The  heart  that  is  destitute  of  it  is  exposed  and 
open  to  the  fascinations  of  sin,  and  in  its  vacant  or 
troubled  hours  has  no  resort  but  worldly  and  sinful 
recreation.  But  the  Christian  has  meat  to  eat  the 
worldling  knows  not  of.     Thus  preoccupied  and  forti- 


284  APPENDIX. 

fied  lie  oj)poses  his  godly  joy  to  tlie  incantations  of  tlie 
charmer  that  wonld  allure  him  to  transgression.  The 
joy  of  the  Lord  has  an  expulsive  power,  and  it  meets 
the  full  tide  of  temptation  and  rolls  it  back : 

"  God  is  my  all-sufficient  good, 
My  portion  and  my  choice ; 
In  liim  my  vast  desires  are  filled 
And  all  my  powers  rejoice. 

"  In  vain  the  world  accosts  mine  ear 
And  tempts  mine  heart  anew, 
I  cannot  buy  your  bliss  so  dear, 
Nor  part  with  heaven  for  you." 

"There  be  many  that  say,  Wlio  will  shew  us  any  good? 
Lord  lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon 
ns.  Thou  hast  put  gladness  in  my  heart  more  than  in 
the  time  that  their  corn  and  their  wine  increased." 
"  We  will  remember  thy  love  more  than  wine." 

This  joy  is  our  wealth,  enabling  us  to  make  sacrifice's 
of  worldly  ease  and  possessions,  at  the  call  of  duty. 
Men  who  brood  over  their  sorrows  become  terribly 
selfish.  They  have  little  thought  for  the  woes  of 
others.  Morose  and  churlish  they  do  not,  cannot,  under- 
stand, how  it  can  be  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive. But  a  joyous,  is  apt  to  be  a  lavish  spirit.  It  takes 
a  pleasure  in  doing  good.  It  will  divide  its  crust  with 
the  famishino^,  and  rise  at  midnio^ht  to  comfort  the 
weary.  It  has  always  enough  for  contentment,  yea, 
enough  and  to  spare.  It  may  be  poor,  but  it  makes  many 
rich — with  a  cup  of  cold  water,  a  kind  look,  a  tear,  a 
prayer — all  it  has  to  give.     It  loves  to  do  good  just 


APPENDIX.  285 

in  proportion  as  it  is  like  God.  The  ever-blessed 
God  is  the  most  bountiful  giver  in  the  Universe. 

This  joy  is  our  energy  and  efficiency  in  duty,  and 
a  source  of  our  help  and  success  in  enterprize.  Grief 
and  fear  depress  a  man,  and  hide  from  his  view  all 
encouragements.  There  is  always  a  lion  in  the  way. 
Moses  cannot  rouse  his  countrymen  in  Egypt ;  they 
hearkened  not  to  him  for  anguish  of  spirit  and  for  cruel 
bondage.  The  disciples  cannot  watch  with  their  Lord, 
but  sink  into  sleep  for  overmuch  sorrow.  David  says, 
"Eestore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation,  then  will 
I  teach  trangressors  thy  ways,  and  sinners  shall  be 
converted  unto  thee."  And  he  resolves,  "  I  will  run 
the  way  of  thy  commandments  when  thou  shalt  enlarge 
my  heart."  Joy  disposes  a  man  to  action  like  the  bub- 
bling and  bounding  life  of  a  healthful,  happy  child.  It 
sees  encouragements  and  finds  resources.  It  is  ready 
for  service.  It  can  testify  of  God's  faithfulness  and 
love.  It  has  good  success :  as  when  God  honoured 
the  praises  of  his  people,  and  gave  Jehoshaphat  the 
victory  over  the  Ammonites — for  when  he  encouraged 
Judah  to  believe  in  the  Lord  their  God,  and  the 
singers  went  out  before  the  army,  not  playing  dead 
inarclies^  but  singing,  "  Praise  the  Lord,  for  his  mercy 
endureth  forever,"  so  that  when  they  began  to  sing 
and  to  praise,  the  Lord  set  ambushments  against  their 
enemies  and  they  were  smitten. 

Finally,  this  joy  is  the  strength  of  God's  people  in 
their  dying  hour.  It  removes  the  bondage  and  the 
fear  of  death.  See, — the  timid  woman,  who  has  appre- 
hended the  parting  with  beloved  friends,  and  shrunk 
from  the    thought  of  judgment,  finds  supports  and 


286  APPENDIX. 

comforts  in  the  presence  of  that  Friend  who  sticketh 
closer  than  any  brother  and  in  the  assured  hope  of 
entering  upon  the  joy  of  the  Lord  forever.  The  little 
child,  that  trembled  with  vague  fear  of  the  cold 
church-yard  and  the  dread  mysteries  of  the  world 
beyond  the  grave,  is  more  than  consoled  with  the 
sweet  promises  of  the  Good  Shepherd  who  folds  the 
lambs  in  his  bosom,  and  expects  with  sweet  hope  the 
call  of  that  dear  voice  which  said,  "  Suffer  the  little 
children  and  forbid  them  not  to  come  unto  me,  for  of 
such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

"  Jesus,  the  vision  of  thy  face 
Hath  overpowering  charms ; 
Scarce  shall  I  feel  death's  cold  embrace, 
If  Christ  be  in  my  arms. 

"  Then  while  ye  hear  my  heart-strings  break 
How  sweet  my  minutes  roll ; 
A  mortal  j)aleness  on  my  cheek, 
But  glory  in  my  soul." 

'  Would  you  then  be  strong  in  the  faith,  useful,  bene- 
ficent, pure,  comforted  in  life  and  death,  rejoice  in  the 
Lord  always.  So,  too,  shall  you  honour  your  religion 
and  commend  it.  Of  all  persons  in  the  world,  a 
Christian  is  the  most  obliged  and  has  the  best  right  to 
be  happy.  Sulky  and  sullen  tempers  only  disgust  and 
repel.  Cheerfulness  is  a  hymn  of  praise ;  and  whoso 
offereth  praise  glorifieth  God.  But  guard  against  losing 
this  joy.  Sin  makes  broken  bones,  and  hides  God's 
countenance.  Grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  follow 
on  to  know  the  Lord,  then  shall  thy  goings  be  as  the 
morning.     The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light 


APPENDIX.  287 

tliat  shinetli  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 
Let  the  superiority  of  the  Christian's  portion  be  appre- 
ciated and  sought  after.  Tlie  true  Christian  is  not  that 
moping,  melancholy,  feeble  creature  the  thoughtless 
worldling  deems  him.  He  has  joy,  he  has  strength,  both 
in  acting  and  suifering,  while  you  despond  and  lie 
inactive :  and  he  is  honouring  his  Maker  and  enjoying 
Him,  while  you  are  vainly  dreaming  of  selfish,  earthly, 
sinful  pleasure.  What  is  the  mirth  of  fools?  " I  said 
of  laughter  it  is  mad.  There  is  no  peace  to  the 
wicked."  But  how  shall  we  get  this  true  joy?  "  We 
joy  in  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom 
now  we  have  the  atonement."  Let  the  Christian  al- 
ways resort  to  Him.  In  Him  the  most  sorrowful  abject 
may  find  comfort.  Let  the  sinner  turn  from  the  paths 
of  sin.  "Ho  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the 
waters.  Why  spend  ye  your  money  for  that  which  is 
not  bread,  and  your  labour  for  that  which  satisfieth 
not  ?  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy 
laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest."  He  will  give — salva- 
tion is  free  in  Christ ;  He  will  give  rest — O,  the 
precious  repose  for  the  sin-burdened  and  sin-weary — 
rest!  rest!  rest  in  the  bosom  of  God!  joy!  joy 
forever ! 

Come  then — ^let  not  conscience  make  you  linger — 
nor  of  fitness  fondly  dream — think  not  of  buying  the 
gift  of  God — of  offering  a  price  for  the  grace  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.     Come  thus  to  the  mercy-seat : 

"  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea, 
But  that  thy  blood  was  shed  for  me, 
And  that  thou  bidst  me  come  to  thee, 
O  Lamb  of  God  I  come." 


288  APPENDIX. 

On  Thursday,  at  half-past  nine  a.m.,  the  friends  assem- 
bled in  the  Lecture  Room  to  spend  an  hour  in  prayer 
and  conference,  having  reference  especially  to  the 
World's  concert  of  prayer,  which  was  that  week  being 
observed  by  the  Evangelical  churches.  Here  the  Kev. 
"Wilson  Phraner,  (another  child  of  the  church,)  of  Sing 
Sing,  N.  Y.,  made  some  appropriate  and  forcible  re- 
marks. 

At  half-past  ten,  a  large  assembly  gathered  in  the 
church  to  listen  to  a  Sermon  from  the  Rev.  William  P. 
Breed,  of  Philadelphia. 

SERMON. 

"  Wherefore,  seeing  we  also  are  compassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud  of 
witnesses,  let  us  lay  aside  every  weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so  easily 
beset  us,  and  let  us  run  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us,  looking 
unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  our  faith." — Hebrews  xii.  1,  2. 

The  more  strictly  doctrinal  portion  of  this  epistle 
terminates  with  the  eighteenth  verse  of  the  tenth  chap- 
ter, and  the  hortatory  begins  with  the  next  verse. 

In  the  first  exhortation  faith  is  thus  mentioned. 
"  Let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart  in  full  assurance 
of  faith."  In  the  thirty-eighth  verse,  this  faith  is  de- 
clared to  be  the  principle  of  spiritual  life.  "  The  just 
shall  live  by  faith." 

In  the  first  verse  of  the  following  chapter,  faith  is 
defined.  "I^ow  faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped 
for  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen."  The  rest  of 
this  chapter  consists  of  a  list  of  illustrious  examples  of 
the  power  and  achievements  of  this  faith  in  the  sphere 
of  practical  life,  as  in  the  experience  of  Abel,  Noah, 
Enoch,  and  the  rest.  And  our  text  is  a  rational  and 
forcible  exhortation,  based  uj)on  what  has  gone  before. 


APPENDIX.  289 

*'  Wherefore,  seeing  what  faith  is,  and  what  it  has  done 
let  lis,  committing  ourselves  to  its  influence,  run  the 
race  set  before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus." 

In  a  passage  so  opulent  in  treasures,  the  chief  diffi- 
culty lies  in  making  such  a  selection  of  points  for  a 
single  discourse  as  to  avoid,  on  the  one  hand,  crowding 
and  thus  confusing  the  vision,  and  on  the  other,  omit- 
ing  those  whose  prominence  and  importance  are  essen- 
tial to  any  other  than  a  merely  fragmentary  view  of 
the  text. 

A  little  attention  however  in  this  case  obtrudes  uj^on 
the  view  as  the  most  prominent  object,  ''The  race  set 
before  us,"  with  a  cloud  of  witnesses  on  the  one  hand, 
and  Jesus,  faith's  author  and  finisher,  on  the  other,  as 
stimuli  to  the  racers.  Each  one  of  these  three  objects 
therefore,  demands  more  or  less  of  our  attention. 

First,  Look  at  The  Cloud  of  Witnesses. 

The  rhetorical  figure  of  a  cloud  as  a  type  of  multi- 
tude, could  hardly  fail  of  frequent  recurrence  in  the 
literature  of  all  nations.  Accordingly,  Homer  writes 
of  "a  cloud  of  Infantry."  Livy  says,  " The  King 
hurled  a  cloud  of  horse  and  foot  upon  the  foe;"  and 
Isaiah  asks,  "  Who  are  these  that  fly  as  a  cloud,  and 
as  the  doves  to  their  windows  ?" 

Kor  is  the  figure  less  impressive  than  it  is  apt.  Who 
has  not  gazed  with  rapt  interest  upon  a  cloud  in  a 
summer  afternoon— black  but  comely  !  At  first  no 
bigger  than  a  man's  hand,  it  rises  and  spreads  its  sable 
wings  till  at  length  they  cover  and  darken  half  the  he- 
misphere, and  pile  their  cumulative  masses  up  to  the 
skies,  the  very  type  of  majesty  and  multitude  ! 
13 


290  APPENDIX. 

And  noY\"  suppose  every  constituent  atom  of  that  va- 
pory mass  replaced  by  a  glorified  spirit,  Abraliam, 
Isaac,  Jacob,  David,  Samuel  and  the  Prophets :  You 
are  compassed  about  with  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses  ! 
Now  listen  to  the  exhortation — "  Ye  candidates  for 
eternal  bliss,  blood-bought,  blood-washed,  vow-laden, 
think  that  all  those  celestial  eyes  are  fixed  uj^on  you, 
watching  the  banner  of  the  cross  committed  to  your 
hands  to  see  whether  it  is  waving  in  victory  over  a 
prostrate,  or  trailed  in  the  dust  beneath  the  feet  of  a 
triumphant  foe ;  watching  for  the  ark  of  God  entrusted 
to  your  custody,  to  see  if  it  be  safe  within  its  peaceful 
curtains  at  Sliiloh,  or  whether  it  has  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  heathenish  Philistines ! 

Beyond  all  doubt  such  an  exhortation  were  quite  in- 
telligible, and  to  every  true  cliild  of  faith,  spirit-stirring. 
Still,  we  are  persuaded  tliat  this  view  by  no  means  ex- 
hausts tlie  meaning  of  the  sacred  writer.  Had  it  been 
his  chief  aim  to  impress  it  upon  us,  that  we  were  the 
objects  of  constant  celestial  scrutiny,  there  was  a  truth 
to  this  effect  nearer  home  and  much  more  effective. 

For  indeed  there  is  One  tliat  watclies  us  day  and 
night,  at  home  and  abroad,  scanning  our  thoughts,  sift- 
ing our  motives,  making  record  of  our  ends  and  aims, 
and  this,  not  as  a  mere  spectator,  but  as  a  gatherer  of 
testimony  for  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ !  "  Whither 
shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit  ?  or  whither  shall  I  flee  from 
thy  presence?  If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven  thou  art 
there  !  If  I  make  my  bed  in  liell,  behold  thou  art 
there  !  If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning  and  dwell 
in  the  uttermost  part  of  the  sea,  even  there  shall  thy 
hand  lead  me  and  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me  !" 


APPENDIX.  291 

Nay,  my  brethren,  those  bright  hosts  are  summoned 
in  clouds  around  lis,  as  witnesses  of  another  kind  ! 
They  are  witnesses  u])on  the  standi  giving  testimony  ! 
And  the  point  of  their  testimony  is  the  validity  of  a 
scriptural.  Christian  faith,  and  its  power  to  bear  its  sub- 
jects through  all  life's  toils,  trials,  and  temptations  to 
the  very  end  !  Thus  they  declare,  it  did  for  them,  thus 
we  are  to  infer  it  w^ill  do  for  us. 

Under  its  inspiration  Noah,  amidst  the  sneers  and 
jeers  of  his  cotemporaries,  built  a  great  ark,  to  shield 
him  and  his  from  an  overflowing  flood,  beneath  a  sky 
undarkened  by  a  threatening  cloud,  and  upon  a  conti- 
nent that  since  the  world  began  had  neither  known  nor 
feared  aught  of  overflowing  floods  ! 

By  faith  Abraham  set  out  with  his  family  and  flocks 
to  go,  he  knew  neither  why  nor  whither,  "  on  a  fools 
errand  "  as  his  heathen  deriders  Avould  say,  and  at  the 
bidding  of  a  groundless  fancy. 

And  what  shall  I  more  say  ?  For  the  time  would 
fail  me  to  tell  of  Gideon,  and  of  Barak,  and  of  Samson, 
and  of  Jephtha ;  of  David  also  and  Samuel,  and  the 
prophets ;  who  through  faith  subdued  kingdoms, 
w^rought  righteousness,  obtained  promises,  stopped  the 
mouths  of  lions,  quenched  the  violence  of  fire,  escaped 
the  edge  of  the  sword,  out  of  weakness  w^ere  made 
strong,  waxed  valiant  in  fight,  turned  to  flight  the 
armies  of  the  aliens." 

And  now  saith  the  Spirit,  in  the  presence  of  this 
cloud  of  worthies,  bearing  such  testimony  to  faith's  ex- 
haustless  and  invincible  power,  let  us,  with  a  faith  like 
theirs  in  origin — like  theirs  in  kind,  and,  if  we  will  Be- 


292  APPENDIX. 

loved,  like  theirs  in  degree  also, — let  us  run  the  race 
set  before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus  ! 

In  the  Second  place  consider,  "  The  Race  set  before 
Us." 

1.  These  words  may  be  considered  as  pointing  to  the 
Race  set  before  the  Whole  Christian  Church. 

Uttered  centuries  ago,  the  exhortation  still  rings  in 
the  ears  of  the  church  of  Christ,  urging  her  to  apply 
herself  with  all  diligence  to  the  solution  of  the  great 
problem  assigned  to  her  of  discipling  the  nations  !  As 
Moses  set  up  the  brazen  serpent  where  every  bitten  Is- 
raelite in  the  camp  could  see  it,  so  the  church  is  to  bear 
the  cross  onward  and  upward,  from  height  to  height, 
"  Excelsior !"  her  constant  motto,  until,  with  redoubled 
emphasis  and  significance,  the  cry  may  ring  forth  from 
its  lips — "  Look  unto  me  and  be  ye  saved  all  ye  ends  of 
the  earth." 

How  this  problem  has  been  understood  and  prac- 
tically treated  by  the  church  is  significantly  hinted  in 
certain  statistics  attributed  to  Sharon  Turner.  During 
the  first  century,  he  tells  us  the  church  gathered  under 
discipleship  half  a  million  of  souls.  The  second  century 
made  this  half  million,  two  millions.  The  third  century 
increased  the  number  to  five  millions ;  the  fourth  to 
ten ;  the  fifth  to  fifteen ;  the  sixth  to  twenty ;  the 
seventh  to  twenty-five  ;  the  eighth  to  thirty  ;  the  ninth 
to  forty ;  the  tenth  to  fifty  ;  the  eleventh  to  seventy ; 
the  twelfth  to  eighty;  the  thirteenth,  the  dark  thir- 
teenth reduced  the  number  to  seventy-five  ;  the  four- 
teenth, regained  the  lost  ground,  and  restored  the 
number  to  eighty ;  the  fifteenth  advanced  it  to  one 


APPENDIX.  293 

hundred ;  tlie  sixteenth  to  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  ;  the  seventeenth  to  one  hundred  and  fifty-five ; 
the  eighteenth  to  two  hundred,  and  the  nineteenth, 
thus  far  to  three  hundred  millions ! 

]^ow,  whatever  may  be  said  of  the  character  of  this 
nominal  Christianity  in  the  mass,  and  admitting  that 
these  figures  can  only  be  approximatively  accurate,  yet 
is  there  enough  in  this  general  view  to  encourage  and 
exhilarate  the  soul,  and  assure  us  from  the  lips  of  his- 
tory itself,  that  the  day  is  drawing  on  when  the  millen- 
nial bells  will  announce  that  the  kingdoms  of  this 
w^orld  have  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of 
his  Christ! 

And  it  by  no  means  weakens  this  assurance  to  bear 
in  mind  that  no  other  religious  system  in  the  world 
can  lay  claim  to  anything  like  such  a  population  in  any 
sense  under  its  sway,  excepting  perhaps  that  of  the 
Buddhists — that  not  one  of  all  these  false  systems  of  re- 
ligion is  aggressive — that  palsied  with  age,  they  all  feel 
the  discouraging  premonitions  of  coming  dissolution — 
further  still,  that  every  one  of  these  great  systems  is 
assailed  and  penetrated  at  many  a  point,  by  our  religion 
which,  though  so  many  centuries  old,  is  yet  in  the  dewy 
morning  of  its  youth,  and  last,  but  not  least,  the  grasp 
with  which  Christianity  has  seized  the  reins  of  power 
among  the  nations.  Treaties  between  high  contracting 
parties,  legislation  in  Congresses  and  Parliaments,  and 
the  great  thoughts  that  pervade  our  literature  and  rule 
the  age  are  mainly  what  they  are  by  reason  of  the  re- 
ligion of  Jesus ! 

Away  then  Avith  apologies  for  the  tardy  growth  of 
Christianity!     The  mushroom   may   spring  up   in   a 


294  APPENDIX. 

night,  but  yonder  oak,  tliat  hardly  bows  its  prond 
head  to  the  tornado,  has  been  gathering  strength  for  a 
century  !  And  assuredly  the  steady  growth  of  a  plant 
through  more  than  eighteen  hundred  years,  demon- 
strates a  vitality  that  must  strike  its  roots  down,  till 
they  take  the  very  planet  in  their  embrace,  that  must 
lift  its  top  into  eternal  sunshine,  and  spread  its  branch- 
es until  all  the  nations  find  shelter  beneath  and  food 
upon  them ! 

2.  In  the  solution  of  this  general  problem,  there  is 
also  A  Race  set  before  each  geneeation  of  Chris- 
tians. 

And  before  us,  as  members  of  the  generation  living 
in  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century,  there  lies  a 
large  and  important  work  of  Aggression  and  Defence. 

Our  generation  is  j^eculiarly  one  of  Christian  Aggres- 
sion. ]^ever  before  were  all  barriers  so  prostrated  in 
the  church's  path.  But  a  few  years  ago  a  potent  di- 
rector of  the  British  East-India  Company  declared  that 
he  would  more  willingly  send  fifty  devils  to  India  than 
fifty  missionaries.  And  now  where  is  the  power  of 
that  company  ?  Once  a  Governor-General  of  India  for- 
bade the  Christian  missionary  to  set  foot  on  Indian  soil, 
and  what  became  of  him  ?  Like  Julian  the  Apostate, 
breathing  out  his  life  on  Parthian  plains,  he  too  had 
reason  to  cry — "  0,  Galilean  thou  hast  conquered !" 
One  and  the  same  vessel  bore  him  in  disgrace  from 
Madras  to  Ceylon,  and  returning,  carried  from  Cey- 
lon to  Madras  the  missionaries  he  had  persecuted ! 
And  now  what  a  vast,  unforbidden  chorus  of  Macedo- 
nian voices  calls  thence  in  our  ears  !     A  grand  and  im- 


APPENDIX.  295 

pressive  truth  is  set  to  music  in  the  immortal  lines  of 
Heber : 

"  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains, 

From  India's  coral  strand  ; 
Where  Afric's  sunny  fountains 

Koll  down  their  golden  sand ; 
From  many  an  ancient  river, 

From  many  a  palmy  plain, 
They  call  us  to  deliver 

Their  land  from  error's  chain." 

And  never  were  men  so  our  brethren  and  neigh- 
bours as  they  are  now.  Who  is  my  neighbour  ?  He 
to  whom  I  may  send  a  message,  and  in  half  an  hour 
receive  reply !  But  he  may  live  in  New  Orleans  or 
Nova  Scotia.  If  our  fellow  men,  two  hundred  miles 
away  are  starving,  are  they  sufficiently  our  neighbours 
to  oblio^e  us  to  send  them  bread  ?  But  Ireland  is  near- 
er  to  day  than  was  such  a  community  twenty  years 
ago. 

Beloved,  the  triumphs  of  the  human  intellect,  under 
the  blessing  of  God,  have  laid  the  heathen  world  on 
the  doorstep  of  the  Christian  church  ! 

But  a  work  of  Defence  also  lies  before  us.  For  we 
have  a  foe  of  immeasurable  cunning  and  immeasurable 
malice,  immeasurable  resources,  and  terrible  energy. 
"  The  devil  is  come  down  unto  you,  having  great  wrath, 
because  he  knoweth  that  he  hath  but  a  short  time." 

Ours  is  a  day  in  which  the  current  sets  strongly  in 
for  tlie  cold,  cheerless  shores  of  Unbelief.  The  grim 
divinities  of  Doubt  and  Denial,  exhumed  for  the  thou- 
sandth time,  are  again  set  upon  their  pedestals,  and  all 


296  APPENDIX. 

tlie  world  called  on  to  fall  down  before  them.  "  Wq 
seem  to  be  slowly  coming  round  tln'ongh  sublime  b)'- 
wajs  of  intellectual  superiority  and  sentimental  faitli, 
to  the  old  mean  era  of  cavilling  and  criticism,  the  age 
that  linds  humbug  in  every  thing — the  puny,  debased, 
narrow  age  of  unbelief."  The  Church  even  has  been 
menaced  with  invasion.  The  Christian  world  has  re- 
cently been  startled  by  the  discovery  of  a  conspiracy 
in  the  bosom  of  the  venerable  Church  of  England,  to 
pour  poison  into  the  "pure  water  of  life  that  flows  out 
from  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb." 

Further,  this  is  a  day  of  unusual  cultivation,  pride 
and  power  of  intellect ;  and  marshalled  on  the  side  of 
the  foe  are  found  no  little  solid  learning,  profound  re- 
search and  keen  logical  acumen.  Besides  these  are 
troops  of  sciolists,  whose  smattering  of  knowledge  and 
overweening  self-conceit  render  it  harder  to  convince 
one  of  them  than  "seven  men  that  can  render  a 
reason." 

Whole  universities,  too,  lend  their  power  to  the  un- 
hallowed work  of  undermining  the  faith  once  delivered 
to  the  saints.  IS'ever  was  the  infidel  library  so  well  re- 
plenished. Volume  after  volume,  the  ever-recurring 
Quarterly  instinct  with  Infidelity,  and  furtive  scraps  in 
the  omnipresent  magazine  and  newspaper,  allure  and 
ensnare  the  unwary,  satisfy  and  fortify  the  sceptic,  and 
form  a  barrier  behind  which  the  ribald  wag  their  heads 
and  affect  to  defy  the  armies  of  the  living  God.  Even 
Science  has  been  suborned  to  lie  against  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  the  stars  in  their  courses  to  fight  on  the 
side  of  Sisera.  And  that  no  stone  might  be  left  un- 
turned, an   imbecile   necromancy  has    been    evoked, 


APPENDIX.  297 

and,  in  its  mntterings,  Paul  under  the  rapping  table 
made  to  contradict  Paul  at  the  Areopagus. 

I^ow  the  race  set  before  the  Christians  of  this  gen- 
eration is,  in  the  midst  of  all  this,  and  in  spite  of  all 
this — the  enemy  coming  in  like  a  flood — not  only  to 
save  the  cross,  but  to  give  it  the  victory  ;  not  only  to 
retain  the  ground  already  won  but  to  add  new  king- 
doms to  its  sway. 

3.  Then  there  is  A  Race  set  befoee  us  as  American 
Christians. 

Ancient  History  furnishes  us  with  examples  of  two 
classes  of  nations;  those  w^hich,  destitute  of  true  re- 
ligion, have  assailed  it  in  other  nations,  and  those  which, 
once  having  it  in  possession  have  become  apostate. 

The  doom  of  the  former  was  thus  written  b}^  Moses. 
(Gen.  xii.  3.)  "I  will  bless  them  that  bless  thee  and 
curse  him  that  curseth  thee."  And  Ezekiel  (xxv.  12, 13) 
records  particular  applications  of  this  law\  "  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  God,  because  that  Edom  hath  dealt  against 
the  house  of  Judah,  by  taking  vengeance,  and  hath 
greatly  offended.  Therefore,  thus  saitli  the  Lord  God, 
I  will  also  stretch  out  my  hand  upon  Edom,  and  I  will 
cut  off  man  and  beast  from  it ;  and  I  will  make  it  deso- 
late from  Teman ;  and  they  of  Dedan  shall  fall  by  the 
sword." 

And  Babylon  and  Nineveh  and  Egypt,  where  are 
they  ? 

But  it  fares  worse  Avith  apostate  nations !    When  the 

unclean  spirit,  once  gone  out  of  man,  returns  again,  the 

last  state  of  that  man  is  worse  than  the  first.     "  So," 

said  the  Saviour,  "  shall  it  be  u»to  this  generation." 

13* 


298  APPENDIX. 

And  so  it  was  with  that  generation — for  under  the 
whole  heaven  hath  not  been  done  as  was  done  upon 
Jerusalem. 

But  our  country  must  be  ranked,  if  with  either,  with 
the  apostate.  It  has  never  been  tlie  assailant  of  reli- 
gion ;  on  tlie  contrary  we  have  been  from  the  first  a 
Christian  nation.  The  first  act  of  Columbus,  after  leap- 
ing upon  these  western  shores,  was  to  set  up  a  cross. 
The  first  sounds  the  wolves  and  Indians  heard  on  our 
I^ew  England  coast  from  the  lips  of  the  white  man, 
were  sounds  of  prayer  and  praise  to  the  Triune  God. 
The  name  of  Jesus  has  been  invoked  in  our  Congresses 
and  great  political  assemblies  from  the  first  to  this 
hour.  Appeal  was  made  to  Him  on  the  battle  field 
before  the  conflict  and  in  thanksgiving  for  victories. 
Our  legislation,  so  far  as  it  has  borne  at  all  upon  re- 
ligion, has  been  Christian  in  its  character.  High  au- 
thority has  declared  Christianity  to  be  a  part  of  the 
common  law  of  the  land.  The  Sabbath  is  distinctly 
recognized  and  annually  days  of  devout  thanksgiving 
to  Almiglity  God  are  appointed  in  nearly  all  our  com- 
monwealths. In  our  land  Gospel  institutions  have 
sprung  up  like  willows  by  the  water-courses.  Revivals 
of  religion,  like  that  of  Pentecost,  have  been  enjoyed. 
Church  edifices  stud  our  territory  from  limit  to  limit. 
From  our  shores  the  most  successful  of  Christian  mis- 
sionaries have  gone  to  bless  the  heathen  world.  And 
this  day  we  behold  an  army  of  five  millions  of  com- 
municants enrolled  under  the  banner  of  evangelical 
religion  ;  and  as  the  Sabbath  sun  moves  in  majesty 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  he  sends  down  his 
beams  upon  more  than  four  millions  of  children  in 


APPENDIX.  299 

Sabbath-schools,  grouped  around  more  than  four  hun- 
dred thousand  teachers !  Our  land  furnishes  a  home 
for  some  thirty  thousand  or  thirty-five  thousand  minis- 
ters of  the  Gospel,  who  preach,  with  more  or  less  regu- 
larity, in  some  sixty  thousand  houses  of  worship,  of 
various  classes;  sometimes  a  school-house,  sometimes 
a  court-house,  and  sometimes  a  church  edifice,  built  for 
the  purpose.  Bible  societies,  tract  societies,  colporteur 
agencies,  and  other  societies — Christian  and  benevo- 
lent, (supported  by  an  annual  voluntary  contribution 
for  all  religious  purposes  of  from  twenty  to  twenty-five 
millions  of  dollars)  make  up  a  world  of  hallowed  ac- 
tivities that  set  the  broad  seal  of  Christianity  upon  our 
national  character,  and  make  it  impossible  for  us  not 
to  be  either  permanently  Christian  or  basely  apostate. 
The  only  alternative  left  us,  is  either,  with  hands  at 
once  impious  and  ungrateful,  to  tear  up  the  deep-rooted 
cross  and  cast  it  into  the  sea,  and  thus  hang  the  mill- 
stone of  divine  wrath  about  our  nation's  neck ;  or  to  go 
forward,  ploughing  and  planting,  until  at  the  name  of 
Jesus  tlie  whole  aggregate  Republic  shall  bow  the  knee 
in  heartfelt  devotion ! 

The  race  set  before  us  then,  as  Ainerioarh  Christians 
is,  at  whatever  cost,  to  make  our  land  a  tabernacle  of 
Immanuel.  Infidelity  and  wickedness  in  every  form 
must  be  met  and  thwarted.  The  emigration  from  other 
lands  must  be  Christianized  ;  the  neglected  youth  must 
be  gathered  into  Sabbath-schools,  and  in  every  valley, 
on  every  hill-side,  and  along  all  w^ater-courses  Gospel 
ordinances  must  be  enjoyed. 

While  Alexander  w^as  thundering  at  the  gates  of 
Tyre,  the  terrified  inhabitants,  fearing  lest  their  god 


300  APPENDIX. 

slionld  desert  them,  assembled  in  the  puhllc  square, 
and  there  had  the  statue  of  Apollo  cliained  to  his 
pedestal. 

The  folly  of  the  heathens  may  teach  us  wisdom. 
We  must  secure  the  permanent  residence  of  Immanuel 
in  our  midst,  or  we  are  lost.  We  must  bind  him  fast, 
not  with  iron  chains,  but  with  the  bands  of  a  man — 
the  ties  of  love  for  a  Christian  people. 

4.  Again  there  is  A  Kace  set  before  rs  as 
Presbyterian  Christians — Christians  holding  as  dis- 
tinctive tenets  the  equality  of  the  clergy,  the  coopera- 
tion of  the  Ruling  Elder  in  the  government  of  the 
church,  and  courts  of  review  and  control. 

With  our  sister-denominations  we  have  no  quarrel. 
God  forbid  !  We  bid  "  God  speed  "  to  as  many  of  any 
name  as  "  sensible  of  their  lost  and  helpless  state  by 
sin,  depend  upon  the  atonement  of  Christ  for  pardon 
and  acceptance  with  God  ;  such  as  desire  to  renounce 
their  sins,  and  are  determined  to  lead  a  holy  and  godly 
life."     There  is  room  for  all  and  work  for  all. 

Still,  will  any  chide  us  for  entertaining  the  con- 
viction that  there  lies  a  peculiar  race  before  a  church 
like  ours  in  a  land  like  ours;  a  church,  between  whose 
form  of  government  and  that  of  the  nation  analogies 
so  striking  exist — both  enjoying  in  felicitous  counter- 
poise the  right  and  privilege  of  free  thought  and  pri- 
vate judgment  on  the  one  hand,  with  the  predominance 
of  an  ultimate,  venerable  and  potent  authority  on  the 
other ;  a  church  historically  and  notoriously  not  one 
whit  more  Kepublican  in  the  form  of  its  government 
than  in  its  spirit  and  tendencies ;  always  ready  in  her 


APPENDIX.  301 

clergj  to  bless  and  praj  for,  and  in  her  membersliip  to 
carry  and  fight  under  the  banner  of  Republican  liberty, 
and  hence  always  looked  on  with  cordial  disfavour  by 
high  monarchists.  "  You  are  aiming  at  a  Scot's  Presby- 
tery," snarled  King  James  at  the  Hampton  Court  Con- 
ference in  1604,  "which  agrees  with  monarchy  as 
well  as  God  and  the  devil.  Then  Jack,  and  Tom,  and 
Will,  and  Dick  shall  meet  and  censure  me  and  my 
council.  Then  Will  shall  stand  up  and  say  it  must  be 
thus;  then  Dick  shall  reply  and  say  nay,  marry  but 
we  will  have  it  thus." 

In  this,  this  Scottish  Solomon  only  followed  Queen 
Elizabeth  who  "  hated  Presbytery  because  it  held 
principles  inconsistent  with  allegiance  to  her  crown." 
And  in  this  he  was  followed  by  Charles  the  First,  who 
wrote  :  "  Show  me  any  precedent  wherever  any  Pres- 
byterial  government  and  regal  was  together  without 
perpetual  rebellions."  And  Dryden  has  left  his  testi- 
mony in  no  very  amiable  lines : 

"  So  Presbytery  and  its  pestilential  zeal, 
Can  flourish  only  in  a  commonweal."  * 

A  church  always  taking  high  ground  in  favour  of 
general  education,  under  a  gov^ernment  whose  very  life 
depends  on  general  education  as  one  of  its  essential  con- 
ditions; a  church  embracing  such  a  proportion  of  hio-li 
character,  talent,  learning,  zeal  and  piety — before  this 
church  we  say  there  is  a  peculiar  and  honourable  race 
set  by  her  Master,  and  well  will  it  be  for  her  and  for 
the  world  if,  like  true  children  of  Issachar,  they  "have 

*  >Smythe's  "Ecclesiastical  Republicanism." 


302  APPENDIX. 

understanding  of  the  times  to  know  what  Israel  ought 
to  do." 

The  race  it  has  already  run  demonstrates  that  her 
race  is  only  just  begun.  While  Louis  XIY.  was  filling 
France  with  profligacy,  and  emptying  her  of  citizens 
and  wealth;  while  the  Marlboroughs  and  Peterboroughs 
of  England  were  winning  renown  for  her  abroad,  and 
at  home,  amidst  bitter  and  endless  wranglings  of  Whig 
and  Tory  factions,  Swift,  Pope,  Addison,  Steele,  and 
others  were  filling  her  libraries  with  a  brilliant  and 
deathless  literature ;  while  the  American  colonies  were 
harassed  with  controversies  with  their  selfish  old 
mother  for  their  riglits,  and  their  borders  tormented 
with  the  miseries  of  a  savage  warfare,  God,  in  his  quiet 
but  resistless  providence,  was  moving  on,  sowing  the 
seeds  of  Presbyterianism  on  these  western  shores. 
Two  hundred  years  ago  signs  of  Presbyterian  vegeta- 
tion here  and  there  appeared.  At  Jamaica,  in  Mary- 
land, 'New  York  and  Philadelphia,  churches  sprang  into 
existence. 

About  1695,  weekly  religious  worship  began  to  be 
held  in  a  litte  stocking-store  with  a  sign  above  the 
door,  "  C  &  X  Jones,"  on  the  northwest  corner  of 
Chestnut  and  Second  Streets.  Nine  Baptists  and  per- 
haps as  many  Presbyterians  (Presbyterians  in  reality 
if  not  yet  in  name)  and  a  few  Episcopalians,  formed 
that  seminal  congregation. 

Since  that  day  of  small  things  how  many  precious 
souls  have  gone  from  these  churches  with  so  humble 
an  origin,  to  join  in  the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb 
on  high!  And  to-day  Philadelphia  rejoices  in  some 
two  hundred  and  seventy  Evangelical  churches,  num- 


APPENDIX.  303 

bering  perliaps  one  hundred  tliousand  communicants. 
Of  these  cliurches  seventy  are  Presbyterian,  thirty-three 
Okl-School,  eighteen  E'ew-School  and  nineteen  of  other 
names. 

And  you  heard  in  the  sermon  two  days  ago.  what  an 
aggregate  of  Presbyteries,  of  ministers  and  of  com- 
muning members  are  now  arrayed  under  the  two 
Assemblies  in  our  land,  equipped  with  a  noble  array 
of  schools,  colleges  and  theological  seminaries,  and 
with  a  powerful  machinery  for  the  propagation  of  the 
truth  in  fields  domestic  and  foreign. 

Before  the  Presbyterian  Church,  thus  endowed,  there 
is  set  a  race  which  includes  at  least  the  duty  of  de- 
monstrating to  the  world  the  superior  efficacy  of  our 
ecclesiastical  system  in  spreading  the  Gospel  among 
men,  in  subduing  sinners  to  King  Emmanuel,  in  de- 
veloping all  the  graces  of  piety,  and  training  the 
branches  of  the  messianic  vine  to  the  production  and 
maturing  of  all  the  rich  "  fruit  of  the  Spirit,  love,  joy, 
peace,  long-suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meek- 
ness, temperance." 

FmALLY.  There  is  a  Pace    set   befoke  us  as   In- 
dividual Christians. 

There  is  a  race  set  before  each  believer  peculiar  to 
himself,  which  no  one  can  run  either  for  him  or  with 
him. 

Of  all  the  thousands  of  vessels  that  have  left  JSTew  York 
for  Liverpool,  no  two  ever  pursued  just  the  same  path. 
And  of  all  the  Pilgrims  that  have  made  the  voyage  to 
heaven,  no  two  ever  followed  in  just  the  same  track. 


304  APPENDIX. 

The  experience  of  each  one  was  marked  with  decided 
peculiarities. 

God  sets  the  race  before  iis,  and  He  never  repeats 
himself  in  nature  or  in  grace.  He  makes  no  two  stars, 
no  two  flowers,  no  two  dew-drops,  no  two  grass-blades, 
no  two  human  faces,  no  two  courses  of  human  ex- 
perience alike. 

The  race  of  one  lies  among  the  allurements,  tempta- 
tions, and  sometimes  persecutions  of  wealth  and  high 
social  position  ;  that  of  another,  through  the  toils,  cares 
and  hard  trials  of  extreme  poverty.  Having  supped 
upon  his  hard  crust,  hardly  earned,  the  son  of  penury 
retires  to  his  hard  bed  to  sleep.  The  early  dawn  finds 
him  again  at  his  task,  or  in  anxious  pursuit  of  employ- 
ment. And  so  his  life  wears  on  to  the  end.  At  length 
he  dies,  and  the  undertaker  hides  his  poor  body  among 
the  long  grass  in  some  obscure  nook  in  the  field,  and 
soon  no  one  of  all  earth's  thousand  millions  knows  or 
cares  that  such  a  human  being  ever  lived  and  sinned 
and  suflfered  and  died ! 

The  race  of  one  is  very  short,  a  few  brief  suns 
bringing  it  to  the  close ;  that  of  another  runs  on  almost 
throuo-h  the  centurv.  The  race  of  one  lies  in  the  bustle  and 
excitement  of  public  life ;  of  another  through  paths  of 
almost  unbroken  bodily  sickness.  To  one  is  appointed  a 
race  amidst  scenes  of  general  Christian  defection,  and  he 
cries  out  with  the  prophet,  "I,  even  I  alone  am  left,  and 
they  seek  my  life  to  take  it  away;"  while  the  career  of 
another  is  like  that  of  a  Whitefield,  a  continued  suc- 
cession of  revival  scenes.  One  finds  his  way  to  bliss 
through  the  sorrows  and  glories  of  martyrdom,  another 
through  years  of  fearful  bereavement  and  sorrow,  and 


APPENDIX.  305 

another  still  passes  to  the  cold  river's  Ycrge,  through 
the  Dai-k  Valley,  through  the  grim  horrors  of  Doubt- 
ing Castle  and  the  merciless  beatings  of  Giant  Despair. 
Each  one,  we  repeat,  has  his  own  appointed  race 
to  run. 

Run  then,  Beloved,  the  race  set  before  yon!  Grieve 
not,  envy  not,  repine  not,  wish  it  not  otherwise  than  it 
is.  Say  with  Rutherford,  "  If  it  were  come  to  an  ex- 
change of  crosses  I  would  not  exchange  my  cross  with 
any." 

Indeed,  there  is  something  both  of  selfishness  and 
folly  in  the  wish  that  our  race  were  other  than  it  is; 
folly,  for  we  each  have  ills  the  balm  for  which  lies 
only  in  the  path  markod  out  for  us ;  selfishness,  for 
some  one  must  run  this  very  course.  The  religion  of 
Jesus  must  have  this  particular  illustration  of  its  power. 
Heaven's  choir  cannot  lack  the  song  that  you  are 
learning  to  sing.  The  tapestry  of  grace,  weaving  here 
below  to  be  the  wonder  and  admiration  of  the  universe, 
cannot  lack  that  particular  figure  and  colour  that  your 
peculiar  experience  is  adding.  Some  one  must  weep 
these  tears,  bear  these  burde»s,  do  these  works,  and 
you  are  the  only  one  just  qualified  for  the  task.  Run 
then  with  patience  and  diligence  the  race  that  God  hath 
set  before  you ! 

And  now,  beloved  brethren,  as  we  near  the  close  of 
these  refreshing  exercises,  let  us  all  as  members  of  the 
great  Church  of  our  Redeemer,  as  participants  in  the 
honours  and  duties  of  this  passing  generation,  as 
Christian  citizens  of  our  beloved  America,  as  Presby- 
terian Christians  and  as  individual  believers,  each  Avitli 
his  own  salvation  to  work  out  with  fear  and  trembling 


306  APPENDIX. 

— let  us  all,  I  say,  set  out  anew  in  the  race  set  before 
us,  looking,  as  we  run,  on  the  one  eide  at  the  witnesses, 
and  on  the  other  unto  Jesus ! 

For  our  text  seems  to  place  us,  as  it  were,  in  a 
parenthesis  between  the  two.  First  we  look  at  the 
witnesses,  as  the  text  commands,  and  as  did  the  saints 
of  old.  "  Our  Fathers  trusted  in  Thee.  They  trusted 
and  Thou  didst  deliver  them.  They  cried  unto  Thee 
and  were  delivered — they  trusted  in  Thee  and  were  not 
confounded." — Ps.  xxii.  4,  5. 

But  should  any  be  disposed  to  add  with  the  Psalmist, 
"Yes,  but  we  are  very  different  from  our  fathers;"  "I 
am  a  worm  and  no  man,  a  reproach  of  men  and  dis- 
pised  of  the  people."  "The  Patriarchs  trusted  and  were 
delivered,  but  we  have  not  the  faith  of  the  Patriarchs." 
Then  look  away  to  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of 
your  faith,  and  He  can  increase  its  power  till  mountains 
shall  flow  down  at  its  presence ! 

It  is  as  if  two  separate  divisions  of  Napoleon's  army 
were  fighting  under  his  eye,  each  with  his  own  opposing 
force,  the  one  nearer  and  the  other  more  remote.  The 
remoter  one  is  victorious  at  the  first  onset,  but  the  nearer 
one  wavers.  The  officer  in  command,  trembling  lest 
disgrace  befall  his  flag,  cries  to  his  men,  "See  how 
your  comrades  chase  the  foe!"  "Ah,"  they  murmur  in 
reply,  "  we  are]_fewer  and  weaker  than  they." 

Seeing  now  that  the  case  is  desperate,  as  a  last  resort 
he  cries,  "  Behold,  your  Emperor  is  looking  at  you  !  " 
Every  face  is  turned,  and  catching  fire  from  the  glance 
of  that  eagle  eye,  like  a  tornado  they  sweep  the  enemy 
before  them! 

So  let  us  on  in  the  race  set  before  us — looking  at  the 


APPENDIX.  307 

cloud  of  witnesses,  now  more  numerous  bv  hundreds 
of  thousands  than  when  this  exhortation  was  penned 
— embracing  in  addition  to  the  more  ancient  worthies, 
the  blessed  army  of  confessors  and  martyrs  of  early 
Christianity,  and  then  the  Luthers,  Calvins  and  Knoxes; 
Baxters,  Bunyans  and  Owens ;  Tennents  and  Davies; 
Brainards  and  Paysons;  yes,  and  others  too,  whom  we 
have  known  and  loved  in  the  flesh !  We  saw  how  they 
lived;  we  saw  how  they  struggled  with  ill;  with  what 
preternatural  patience  they  endured !  Racked  with 
pains  we  heard  them  cry,  "  Thy  will  be  done ! " 
Bruised  and  crushed  they  still  exclaimed,  ''We  glory 
in  tribulations  also  !  "  The  dark  chamber  of  adversity 
they  made  to  echo  with  the  shout,  "  Although  the  fig- 
tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the 
vine ;  the  labour  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields 
shall  yield  no  meat ;  the  flock  shall  be  cut  off  fi'om  the 
fold,  and  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls :  yet  will 
I  rejoice  in  the  Lord;  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my 
salvation  !  "  And  we  saw  how  they  died  !  Some  as 
the  infant  falls  asleep  on  its  mother's  bosom,  and  some 
as  Elijah  went  to  heaven  in  a  chariot  of  fire ! 

Yes,  blessed  witnesses,  we  take  your  testimony,  and 
here  before  the  Triune  God,  and  before  the  angels,  and 
in  view  of  all  the  toils,  and  sorrows  and  triumphs  of 
believers  in  every  age,  we  solemnly  promise  to  heed 
this  exhortation,  and  from  this  good  hour  to  run  more 
resolutely,  more  diligently,  more  patiently,  the  race 
set  before  us,  looking  unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher 
of  our  faith.     Amen  and  amen  ! 


308  APPENDIX. 

The  closing  services  of  the  Anniversary  were  on 
Thursday,  commencing  at  half-past  two  p.  m.  It  was  the 
Communion  season.  Dr.  Krebs  conducted  the  exercises, 
assisted  by  Dr.  Macdonald  and  Rev.  Mr.  Breed,  with 
a  few  concluding  remarks  and  prayer  by  the  pastor. 
"It  was  a  time  the  solemnity,  the  delight,  the  profit  of 
which  language  fails  to  convey,  and  was  a  fitting  close 
to  the  series  of  interesting  services,  such  as  would  be 
appropriate  to  very  few  churches  in  this  country." 

The  Committee  would  here  acknowledge  their  ob- 
ligations to  Professor  Andreu,  organist,  and  the 
choir  for  the  music  throughout  the  Anniversary. 
Their  performances  aided  mucli  to  enhance  the  pleas- 
ure and  interest  in  the  occasion. 


APPENDIX.  309 


AN  APPLICATOEY  ADDEESS 


StrBSEQUENTLY  DELIVERED 


BY    THE    PASTOE    TO    THE    PEOPLE    OP    HIS    CHARGE, 


"  The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as  he  was  with  our  fathers." — 1  Kings 
viii.  57. 

"Beloved  of  God,  called  to  be  saints;  grace  to  you,  and  peace  from  God 
our  Father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

• 

Dear  Brethren, — God  has  favored  us.  Our  recent 
anniversary  exercises  have  left  their  impress  upon 
our  minds.  The  congratulations  received ;  the  satis- 
faction expressed ;  the  elevated  spiritual  enjoyment 
acknowledged  by  all ;  the  reluctance  to  leave  the  place 
where  lingered  so  many  sweet  and  sacred  associations, 
and  the  full  heart  and  tearful  eye  when  those  from  a 
distance  spoke  the  parting  word — all  accumulated  the 
evidence  that  it  was  a  "high  day"  in  the  annals  of  our 
Zion,  and  that  we  did  not  mistake  the  indications  of 
Providence  calling  to  its  observance. 

But  the  more  important  that  occasion,  and  the  more 
delightful  those  services,  the  greater  subsequent  re- 


310  APPENDIX. 

sponsibilities  do  they  impose  upon  ns.  They  have 
tended  to  fix  the  gaze  of  the  religious  world  upon  us. 
They  have  served  to  raise  this  church  to  the  hill  top  of 
public  observation.  A  more  than  local  interest  gathers 
around  the  place,  where,  it  is  believed,  God,  in  his 
all-wise  purposes,  planted  in  its  continuance,  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  in  America. 

For  the  purpose  of  retaining  these  impressions,  and 
of  appreciating  our  responsibilities,  as  they  are  under- 
stood by  the  Christian  world,  and  as  due  to  God,  I 
would  offer  for  your  consideration  a  few  thoughts 
which,  it  may  be  hoped,  will  tend  to  strengthen  the 
iwactical  effects  of  the  services  in  which,  as  a  churchy 
we  have  been  so  pleasantly  engaged.  He  who  was 
among  "  the  chiefest  of  the  apostles,"  sought  the  will 
of  God  at  the  throne  of  grace.  And  in  what  way 
can  we  so  suitably  express  our  gratitude  to  God,  and 
our  readiness  to  do  his  will,  as  in  the  form  of  earnest 
prayer  for  grace  to  be  equal  to  our  position  in  the 
world,  in  the  church,  and  in  our  obligations  to  the 
Great  Head  of  the  church,  who  in  the  past  has  gone 
before  us  "in  a  pillar  of  a  cloud  to  lead  us  in  the  way, 
and  a  pillar  of  fire  to  give  us  light,"  and  whose  Cove- 
nant of  mercy  has  spanned  the  future  with  the  bow  of 
promise  % 

Such  a  prayer  I  find  Solomon  offered.  With  the 
children  of  Israel  he  was  engaged  in  dedicating  a  new 
temple  to  the  service  of  God.  That  temple  was  at 
once  a  monument  of  their  gratitude  and  liberality. 
They  were  children  of  a  blessed  ancestry.  God  had 
led  their  fathers  through  a  "waste  and  howling  wilder- 
ness."    They  had  been  "brought  forth  also  into  a  large 


APPENDIX.  311 

place,"  and  safely  settled  in  the  land  the  Lord  had 
given  them.  By  the  good  hand  of  the  Lord  npon 
them,  temporal  and  spiritual  prosperity,  in  a  dis- 
tinguished manner,  had  marked  their  career.  How 
much  is  all  this  like  our  own  nation  !  King  Solomon 
could  say  with  Asaph  —  and  we  might  also  almost 
literally  adopt  the  same  language — "Thou  hast  brought 
a  vine  out  of  Egypt ;  Thou  hast  cast  out  the  heathen 
and  planted  it.  Thou  preparedst  room  before  it,  and 
didst  cause  it  to  take  deep  root,  and  it  filled  the  land. 
The  hills  were  covered  with  the  shadow  of  it,  and  the 
boughs  thereof  were  like  the  goodly  cedars.  She  sent 
out  her  boughs  unto  the  sea,  and  her  branches  unto  the 
river."  Descendants  of  parentage  so  highly  blessed  of 
God  ;  enjoying  the  worship  of  the  true  God  for  so  many 
successive  generations;  living  to  see  the  church  of  their 
father  spread  from  river  to  sea ;  assembled  in  a  new 
house  of  worship,  the  most  splendid  the  world  ever  saw  : 
well  might  the  Children  of  the  Covenant,  so  greatly 
favored,  through  the  mouth  of  the  Royal  Preacher 
offer  the  prayer,  ''The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as 
He  was  with  our  fathers." 

This  prayer  may  certainly  be  considered  relevant  to 
the  condition  of  our  church  and  congregation  at  the 
present  time.  God  was  with  our  fathers.  Brethren, 
if  you  call  to  mind  the  difficulties  incident  to  the 
settlement  of  a  new  territory,  the  hardships,  the  pov- 
erty, the  sickness,  the  dangers,  the  weakness  of  even 
good  men,  the  proneness  of  all  to  error,  and  to  all  this  add 
a  persistent  effort  of  the  Colonial  Government  to  destroy 
this  church  in  its  form  of  worship  and  doctrine,  there 
will  be  no  room  to  doubt  the  fact  of  God's  special 


312  APPENDIX. 

providence  with  the  early  founders  of  this  chnrch. 
Amid  all  these  pressures  would  this  Church  have  sub- 
sisted for  two  hundred  years  without  divine  inter- 
ference and  preservation?  Believe  it  who  ma}^  We 
say  with  adoring  gratitude :  The  Lord  Jehovah  was 
with  our  fathers.  They  paused  before  they  commenced 
the  toils  and  trials  of  the  wilderness,  and  at  the  thres- 
hold of  all  sanctuary  enterprises  with  Moses  prayed, 
"  Now,  therefore,  we  pray  thee,  if  we  have  found 
grace  in  thy  sight,  show  us  now  thy  way,  that  we  may 
know  thee:  and  consider  that  this  nation  is  thy  people." 
And  God  answered  their  prayers :  "My  presence  shall 
go  with  you,  and  I  will  give  thee  rest."  The  spirit  the 
fathers  manifested ;  their  inclination  to  the  service  of 
God;  "their  coming  together  in  a  church  way;"  their 
uniform  regard  for  the  ordinances  of  God's  house  ;  the 
fruits  of  their  labors  and  prayers  which  are  this  day 
present  to  our  consciousness,  all  attest  the  same  truth — 
God  loas  with  our  fathers. 

T[\Q,\Y  faith  in  God,,  and  their  seal  for  his  cause  bear 
the  same  testimony.  "Abraham  believed  God,"  and 
one  of  the  greatest  evidences  of  his  faith  was,  at  the 
call  of  God,  to  go  from  his  "country,"  his  "kindred," 
and  his  "father's  house,"  into  a  strange  land.  The 
early  settlers  of  this  countrj^  did  this  very  thing.  They 
left  their  "country,"  their  "kindred,"  and  their  "father's 
house."  Conscience  was  trammeled,  liberty  of  worship 
was  suppressed,  and  under  the  light  of  the  guiding  star 
of  Faith  and  Hope,  they  said  farewell  to  childhood's 
early  scenes,  launched  their  bark  upon  the  boisterous 
deep,  and  with  a  cheerful  voice  sang  as  they  sailed : 


APPENDIX.  313 

"  His  call  we  obey,  like  Abram  of  old, 
Not  knowing  our  way,  but  faith  makes  us  bold ; 
For  though  we  are  strangers,  we  have  a  good  guide, 
And  trust  in  all  dangers,  the  Lord  will  jDrovide." 

But  their  faith  and  zeal  led  them  to  do  more  than 
this  :  they  made  jprovision  for  the  future.  They  were 
men  of  the  covenant.  The  blessings  which  they  en- 
joyed they  wished  to  transmit  to  their  children  and  their 
children's  children.  The  more  religion  a  man  has  the 
less  selfisli  he  is,  and  the  greater  will  be  his  sympathies 
for  others.  And  especially  will  those  in  covenant  with 
God  feel  upon  them  the  binding  force  of  parental 
obligations,  and  the  duty  of  providing  for  the  spiritual 
welfare  of  their  children,  after  their  own  heads  shall  lie 
low  in  the  bed  of  death.  JS^o  man  liveth  to  himself. 
Not  for  themselves  alone  did  our  fathers  brave  the 
dangers  of  the  deep;  not  for  themselves  alone  did  they 
fell  the  ancient  forest;  not  for  themselves  alone  did 
they  build  houses  of  worship — they  had  faith  in  God. 
They  saw  this  great  wilderness  peopled  with  a  multi- 
tudinous population — a  happy,  free  and  independent, 
people.  For  them  they  labored,  for  them  they  prayed, 
and  for  them  they  established  the  institutions  of  the 
gospel-  It  was  faith  in  the  future  and  in  the  God  of 
the  future  that  gave  vigor  to  their  purpose,  courage  to 
their  hearts;  and  the  results  of  the  seed  sown  has 
evidenced  the  correctness  of  their  faith,  abounding  in 
a  harvest  to  the  praise  of  God's  grace,  the  grandest  and 
most  glorious  the  eye  of  the  world  ever  rested  upon. 
In  our  faith  in  God,  in  our  zeal  for  his  glory,  and  the 
future  welfare  of  his  church,  God  be  with  us  as  he  was 
with  our  fathers. 

14 


314  APPENDIX, 

For  the  attain meut  of  this,  let  the  petition  of  Solo- 
mon be  ours.  We  tnust  ])Tay.  "We  must  earnestly, 
habitually  pray.  The  life  of  the  Christian  is  in  pro- 
portion to  his  closet  devotion.  If  I  had  to  compress  all 
I  liad  to  say  in  one  sentence,  it  would  be.  Live  the  life 
ofjyt'ciyer.  Prayer  is  a  realization  of  dependence  upon 
God.  We  stand  in  our  place  this  day,  and,  at  the  foot- 
stool of  God's  throne,  say,  Our  fathers  would  have  been 
nothing  if  God  had  not  been  with  them.  None  were 
more  conscious  of  this  than  themselves.  Their  whole 
history  is  replete  with  the  evidence  that  they  looked  to 
God.  Every  step  of  progress  was  marked  by  prayer. 
And  we  w^ould  not  be  their  worthy  successors  in 
church  privileges,  if,  lilvc  them,  we  did  not  feel  that 
our  springs  are  in  God.  "  And  we  desire  that  every 
one  of  you  do  show  the  same  diligence  to  the  full 
assurance  of  hope  unto  the  end.  That  ye  bo  not  sloth- 
ful, but  followers  of  them  who  through  faith  and  pa- 
tience inherit  the  promises." 

We  claim  not  perfection  for  man  in  his  best  estate 
while  a  sojourner  on  earth.  Solomon,  in  the  sentiment 
of  his  prayer,  did  not  mean  to  intimate  that  their  fathers 
were  exceptions  to  the  common  laws  of  human  infir- 
mity,— that  David,  that  Jesse,  that  Mosc:  or  Jacob  or 
Abraham  had  never  erred.  The  prophet  makes  the 
direct  acknowledgement  "  our  fathers  have  sinned." 
But  the  petitioner  meant  that  as  "  heirs  according  to 
the  promise "  "  of  like  precious  faith  through  the 
righteousness  of  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ," 
"that  ye  be  like  minded,  having  the  same  love,  of  one 
accord^  of  one  mind."  The  prayer  is  as  Thou  wast  with 
our  fathei*s,  be  with  us.     Thou  did&t  give  them  the 


APPENDIX.  315 

grace  of  self-sacrifice,  give  us  the  same  grace.  Thou 
didst  give  them  the  grace  of  perseverance,  so  give  us  the 
same  grace.  Thou  didst  give  them  wisdom,  give  us 
wisdom.  Thou  didst  give  them  zeal  for  thy  glory,  im- 
part the  same  to  us.  What  thy  providence  was  to 
them,  leading,  protecting,  controlling,  be  Thou  to  us. 
Wherein  thy  Spirit  did  work  in  them,  in  like  manner 
work  thou  in  us.  The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as  he 
was  with  our  fathers.  "  So  that  ye  come  heliind  in  no 
gift^  waiting  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

Dear  Brethren,  "  all  anniversaries  have  their  force  and 
their  joy  in  this,  that  they  are  the  registry  of  growth  !" 
And  as  w^e  survey  the  growth  of  the  past,  these  anniver- 
sary exercises  would  fail  in  one  of  their  most  important 
effects  did  they  not  serve  to  awaken  emotions  of  grat- 
itude to  God  who  has  been  with  us  and  our  fathers. 
By  the  mouth  of  Moses  God  commanded  Israel : 
"Thou  shalt  remember  all  the  way  which  the  Lord  thy 
God  led  thee  these  forty  years  in  the  wilderness."  Me- 
mory of  divine  favors  will  inspire  grateful  thoughts. 
And  if  as  a  church  we  look  back  two  hundred  years 
we  cannot  be  otherwise  than  sensible  of  God's  goodness, 
and  our  duty  of  thanksgiving.  For  such  a  history, — 
for  the  characters  composing  that  history — for  the 
tokens  of  the  divine  presence,  radiant  with  the  displays 
of  God's  saving  grace  up  to  this  very  moment  of  our 
existence,  we  have  great  reason  to  say  with  hearts  of 
adoring  love  ;  "  Lord  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling 
place  in  all  generations."  "Give  unto  the  Lord  the 
glory  due  unto  his  name." 

It  is  a  scriptural  injunction  to  be  "  followers  of  them 
who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises." 


816  APPENDIX. 

To  imitate  the  virtues  of  those  who  have  gone  before 
us  is  no  less  a  duty  than  that  of  gratitude  for  their 
godly  example.  When  Paul  speaks  of  ''  forgetting  the 
things  that  are  behind  "  he  does  not  mean  that  the  re- 
cord of  the  past  should  be  effaced  from  the  mind.  If 
so,  why  was  the  faculty  of  the  memory  created? 
Where  then  would  be  the  rich  results,  and  incom- 
parable benefits  of  experience  ?  But  I  understand  the 
apostle  to  caution  us  against  relying  upon  the  past  as 
though  nothing  further  was  to  be  attempted ;  making 
the  past  a  pillow  to  rest  our  heads  upon  in  ease  and 
quietness.  If  this  were  the  only  result,  then  the  past 
would  be  a  snare  and  sin.    If  we  could  orather  toerether 

O  CD 

before  us  in  one  depository,  all  the  virtues  of  our  an- 
cestors, their  merit  could  not  be  imputed  to  us.  And 
so  far  from  excusing  us  from  the  obligations  of  the 
present  they  are  of  no  more  value  than  the  mouldering 
dust  of  their  lifeless  remains.  We  hold  in  reverence 
the  importance  of  the  past.  But  the  more  important 
the  historic  character  of  the  past,  the  heavier  the  weight 
of  responsibility  resting  upon  us  to  sustain  its  dignity, 
and,  by  carrying  it  forward,  secure  its  amplest  fruits.  It 
is  in  the  rich  fruition  of  their  graces  in  our  hearts  and 
hopes  and  labors,  that  "  the  memory  of  the  just  is 
blessed,"  and  their  devotion,  love,  joy  and  faith  become 
ours.  "  Know,  therefore,  that  the  Lord  thy  God,  he  is 
God,  the  faithful  God,  which  keepeth  covenant  and 
mercy  with  them  that  love  him  and  keep  his  command- 
ments to  a  thousand  generations." 

Beloved  in  the  Lord,  as  a  church  and  congregation 
we  stand  on  high  vantage  ground.  The  dust  of  sainted 
generations,  of  Pastors,  Elders,  Deacons,  Trustees,  Mem- 


Appendix.  317 

bers,  male  and  female,  are  at  our  feet.  "  They  rest  from 
their  labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them."  We  cull 
from  their  departed  ashes  gems  of  immortal  truth  to 
enrich  our  spiritual  treasury.  They  cleared  away  the 
rubbish  and  paved  a  w^ell-beaten  path  after  the  "  good 
old  way"  easy  and  safely  for  our  feet  to  walk  in.  They 
"labored,  and  wq  liave  entered  into  their  labors." 
And  as  they  made  history  for  us,  so  we  are  making 
history  for  those  who  are  to  follow  us.  In  the  great 
drama  of  life  every  one  has  a  part  to  act.  "And 
though  one  may  have  a  more  splendid  and  another  a 
more  obscure  part  assigned  him,  tlie  actor  of  each  is 
equally  responsible."  In  one  hundred  years  from  now 
our  descendants  will  meet  to  review  our  actions,  as  we 
have  those  of  our  ancestors.  Not  one  of  us  shall  be  at 
that  meeting.  Long,  long  before  that  time  each  one 
of  us  shall  have  gone  to  his  account.  Shall  we  in  our 
generation  fill  a  bright  page  in  our  church  relation  ? 
Brethren,  the  answer  of  that  question  is  in  ourselves. 
"  Our  fathers  had  the  tabernacle  of  witness  in  the  wil- 
derness," but  their  "  dust  has  returned  to  the  earth," 
"  their  sepulchres  are  with  us  unto  this  day."  And  as 
we  enter  upon  the  third  century  of  our  existence,  it  ap- 
pears to  me  that  every  particle  of  their  sleeping  dust  is 
instinct  with  life,  and  from  the  memory  of  their  cher- 
ished graves,  and  from  their  glorified  spirits  around  the 
throne,  as  a  great  cloud  of  witnesses,  comes  a  united 
voice  into  the  living  ear  of  those  upon  whom  the  present 
responsibility  rests  \  ''^  Be  faithful  to  the  Past — he  true 
to  the  Present — he  just  to  the  Future.''^  And  the  influ- 
ences of  their  history,  sparkling  with  rays  of  light,  as 
stars  in  the  milky  way,  emitted  from  the  Sun  of  right- 


818  APPENDIX. 

eonsness,  converging  into  one  focus,  emblazon  as  upon 
the  very  face  of  the  heavens — as  the  express  will  of 
God — as  the  teachings  of  the  past,  that  which  must 
ever  be  the  Christian's,  the  church's  motto — Go  for- 
ward, 

"  'Tis  God's  all  animating  voice, 
Tliat  calls  thee  from  on  Mgli : 
'Tis  his  own  hand  jDresents  the  prize 
To  thine  aspiring  eye. 

"  A  cloud  of  witnesses  around 
Hold  thee  in  full  survey ; 
Forget  the  steps  already  trod, 
And  onward  urge  thy  way." 

"Blessed  he  tlie  Lord,  that  hath  given  rest  unto  his 
people  Israel,  according  to  all  that  he  promised :  there 
hath  not  failed  one  word  of  all  his  good  promise,  which 
he  promised  by  the  hand  of  Moses  his  servant. 

"  The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as  he  was  with  our 
fathers :  let  him  not  leave  us,  nor  forsake  us  : 

"  That  we  may  incline  our  hearts  unto  him,  to  walk 
in  all  his  ways,  and  to  keep  his  commandments,  and 
his  statutes,  and  his  judgments,  which  he  commanded 
our  fathers." — Amen. 


APPENDIX.  319 

From  the  New  York  Observer,  of  Jtinuary  16th,  1862, 

bi-ce:n^tekary  commemoratio:n^ 

AT  JAMAICA,  L.  L 

Tuesday,  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  (January  7,  8 
and  9,  1862,)  will  long  be  remembered  by  the  people 
of  Jamaica,  Long  Island.  Agreeably  to  the  compre- 
hensive preparations  made  for  the  commemoration  of 
the  settlement  and  the  planting  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  that  place  two  hundred  yeare  ago,  the  exer- 
cises were  continued  through  those  three  days ;  and 
the  spirit  with  which  they  were  carried  on,  would  only 
have  been  satisfied  had  they  continued  three  days 
longer.  It  was  a  "  holy  convocation  to  the  Lord." 
The  dwellings  of  a  hospitable  people  were  thrown  open 
for  the  reception  of  their  guests — their  own  returned 
children — and  for  the  interchange  of  friendly  greeting 
and  intercourse ;  and  in  them  was  heard  abundantly 
the  voice  of  prayer  and  praise. 

The  Commemorative  Discourse  was  delivered  on 
Tuesday  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Macdonald,  now  of  Prince- 
ton, the  predecessor  of  the  present  worthy  and  suc- 
cessful pastor  at  Jamaica,  the  Eev.  Peter  D.  Oakey, 
Dr.  Macdonald's  discourse  occupied  two  hours  in  the 
delivery,  and  was  heard  by  the  crowded  assembly  w^ith 
continued  inter-est  until  the  close.  It  did  not  need  his 
own  felicitous  apology  for  its  length,  that  it  was  but  in 
the  proportion  of  an  hour  to  a  century.  It  will  be 
printed  uniform  with  the  author's  interesting  volume, 


320  APPENDIX. 

"The  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Jamaica, 
L.  I.;"  and  no  abstract,  therefore,  is  given  here.  It 
was  rich  in  research ;  in  liistorical  detail ;  in  quaint  in- 
cidents of  the  olden  time  ;  in  clear  and  logical  argu- 
ment and  proof  of  tlie  antiquity  and  of  the  decided 
Presbyterianism  of  the  Church  from  the  beginning,  of 
its  trials  and  persecutions,  its  pastoral  succession,  its 
seasons  of  refreshing,  its  emigrant  development  and  re- 
lation to  the  history  of  the  Church  and  the  country  at 
large,  and — ^last,  but  not  least — its  opportunities  and  its 
obligations  to  preserve  and  to  extend  its  influence  in  all 
time  to  come. 

On  Wednesday  morning  there  was  a  festival  of  good 
things  ; — Dr.  Macdonald  presided.  More  than  twenty 
ministers  have  gone  out  directly  from  this  church, 
especially  in  its  later  years  ;  of  these  a  goodly  number 
were  present.  There  were  no  formal  services,  each  in 
turn  came  forward  and  contributed  his  reminiscence 
and  memorial  with  the  simplicity,  frankness  and  unc- 
tion, which  had  free  scope  in  this  famil}'  gathering. 
The  Pev.  Dr.  Nicholas  Everitt  Smith,  pastor  of  the  Pe- 
formed  Dutch  Church  in  Harrison  street,  Prooklyn, 
and  the  Pev.  Penjamin  S.  Everitt,  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Plackwoodtown,  IST.  J., — descendants 
of  Nicholas  Everitt,  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 
church, — were  baptized  here,  although  the  former  of 
them  was  in  infancy  removed  by  his  parents  to  tl)e 
Putgers  street  congregation,  New  York,  where  he 
claimed  as  his  spiritual  father  the  Pev.  Dr.  Krebs,  its 
pastor,  now  present.  The  Pev.  Mr.  Wickes,  pastor  of 
a  church,  near  Pochester,  spoke  in  behalf  of  himself 
and  of  his  brother,  also  a  minister.     The  Pev.  Elias  N. 


APPENDIX.  321 

Crane,  pastor  at  Kew  Yernon,  N.  J.,  son  of  the  former 
beloved  pastor,  Elias  W.  Crane,  and  the  Rev.  Wilson 
Phraner,  of  Sing  Sing,  bronght  their  affectionate  tribnte. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  Henry  R.  Weed,  of  Wheeling,  Ya.,  (the 
eldest  surviving  minister  of  the  former  pastors  of  Ja- 
maica,) and  others,  unable  to  be  present,  sent  letters.  As 
this  congregation  was  first  brought  into  a  regular 
"  church  way,"  and  that  way  w^as  in  an  important  legal 
document  referred  to  "according  to  the  rules  of  the 
Gospel  in  this  town,"— ^.  <?.,  Presbyterian — it  is  not  a 
child,  but  the  mother  even  of  the  "  mother  Presbytery." 
George  MclS'ish,  (settled  A.  D.  1710,)  cotemporary  of 
Francis  Mackemie  and  John  Hampton,  (who  was  im- 
prisoned by  the  Colonial  authorities  in  the  old  church 
at  Jamaica,  for  preaching  the  Gospel,)  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia, 
(1706-1716,)  and  was  the  eighth  pastor  at  Jamaica. 
Mr.  McNish  and  the  church  of  Jamaica  were  set  off 
subsequentl}^  to  form  the  Presbytery  of  Long  Island — 
the  first  Presbytery  in  the  province  of  New  York. 
Afterwards  the  congregation  becafne  a  part  of  the 
Presbytery  of  ]N"ew  York,  and  in  1855  it  was  attached 
to  the  new  Presbytery  of  E'assau.  Representatives  of 
these  Presbyteries  were  also  present : — The  Rev.  Mr. 
Reeve,  of  Long  Island ;  Mr.  Wm.  P.  Breed,  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  Dr.  Krebs,  of  E'ew  York.  These  breth- 
ren also  spoke.  Mr.  Breed  could  not  claim  to  be  a 
descendant  of  Jamaica,  but  he  also,  as  well  as  Dr. 
Smith,  recognized  as  his  spiritual  father  the  pastor  of 
the  Rutgers  street  Church,  (which  relation  may  be 
claimed  hj  about  twenty-five  ministers  of  the  Gospel,) 


322  APPENDIX. 

he  would  feel  as  if  he  belonged  here  too.  Dr.  Krebs 
had  come  on  behalf  of  the  Presbytery,  which,  for  a  long 
time  after  the  foundation  of  Jamaica,  had  not  yet  come 
into  existence,  as  indeed  there  was  no  church  in  New 
York  until  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  but 
was  now  multiplied  into  six  or  seven  Presbyteries  with 
their  many  scores  of  cliurches  and  pastors.  But  he 
would  not  now  speak  of  this.  His  own  churcli  was  for 
many  years  familiarly  spoken  of  as  the  "Long  Island 
Clmrch  in  New  York."  Many  of  its  members  were 
drawn  from  the  Island  and  from  Jamaica,  even  in  his 
own  day.  And  he  had  been  so  intimately  connected 
with  them  in  intercourse  with  their  pastors  and  with 
themselves  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  iiospitality,  and 
in  preaching  the  Gospel  to  them  in  their  own  place,  as 
well  as  by  the  marriage  of  liis  own  child  with  the  de- 
scendant of  one  of  their  oldest  families,  still  numerous 
and  dwelling  there,  that  he  felt  as  if  he  also  was  their 
kinsman.  He  spoke  with  especial  eulogy  of  that  man 
of  God — the  Pev.  Elias  W.  Crane — and  enlarged  on 
the  happy  combination  of  means  of  grace,  in  the  "  home, 
the  school,  and  the  church,"  which  God  had  so  signally 
blessed. 

No  attempt  is  made  to  report  these  speeches.  Pef- 
erence  was  made  to  the  presence  of  three  ruling  elders 
still  in  ofhce,  after  forty  years'  service,  and  to  the  Super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday-school,  Mr.  Laurens  Peeve,"^'^ 
still  labouring  in  that  vocation  after  thirty-three  years. 


*  [Elder  Laurens  Reeve  has  been  superintendent  of  the  village  school  for 
thirty-three  years ;  Elder  John  Carpenter  was  superintendent  of  the  Fos- 
ter's Meadow  school  for  thirty  years ;  and  Elder  Nathaniel  Carpenter,  of 
the  Springfield  school,  for  twenty  years. — Com.] 


APPENDIX.  323 

The  venerable  Dr.  Shelton  was  called  upon  and  gave 
some  pleasant  recollections  of  the  early  days,  not  only 
of  fifty-five  years  ago,  but  through  old  people  with 
whom  he  had  conversed  in  his  early  life  among  them. 
He  was  able  also  to  speak  of  what  they  had  seen  and 
told  him  of  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago. 
For  three  hours  this  free  and  unrestrained  outgushing 
of  the  heart  went  on — some  speaking  only  with  tears, 
where  the  tide  of  feeling  choked  utterance — till  the 
time  itself  gave  out,  and  the  people,  who  would  fain 
have  lingered,  were  forced  to  disperse.  None  who  were 
there  will  ever  forget  that  scene.  A  volume  only  could 
describe  the  interesting  details,  nor  could  any  written 
record  describe  the  heavenly  and  tender  feelings  of  the 
scene. 

On  Wednesday  evening  Dr.  Krebs  preached,  and  on 
Thursday  morning  Mr.  Breed,  and  on  Thursday  af- 
ternoon the  Lord's  Supper  was  administered.  Thus 
fitly  concludes  this  delightful  anniversary.  The  people 
had  remembered  their  fathers  and  the  grace  of  God 
that  was  with  them ;  and  now,  crowning  all,  they  kept 
with  joy  the  feast  in  remembrance  of  Him  "of  whom 
the  whole  family  in  earth  and  heaven  is  named,"  by 
whose  death  they  and  their  fathers  were  made  heirs 
together  of  the  grace  of  life. 

It  may  be  mentioned  as  an  affecting  incident,  that 
there  came  also  messages  and  greetings  from  sick  beds 
of  members  of  the  church,  who  felt  that  they  were 
standing  on  the  verge  of  Jordan  ;  and  that  one  of  the 
more  aged  members  of  the  church  was  actually  dying,^ 
while  we,  unaware  of  that  fact,  were  singing  the  hymn, 

*  Nathaniel  Ludlura. 


824:  APPENDIX. 

"  Come  let  iis  join  our  friends  above,"  which  contains 
these  stanzas : 

"  One  army  of  the  living  God, 
To  his  commands  we  bow ; 
Part  of  the  host  have  crossed  the  flood, 
And  j)art  are  crossing  now. 

"  How  many  to  their  endless  home, 

This  solemn  moment  fly  ! 
And  we  are  to  the  margin  come, 
And  soon  expect  to  die  1 " 

A  Guest. 


APPENDIX.  325 


From  tbe  Presbj'terian,  January  25,  1862. 

THE  JAMAICA  BI-CENTEN^AEY. 

We  can  liardly  realize  that  any  tiling  human  in 
America  can  be  two  Imndred  years  old.  But  we  have 
just  celebrated  tlie  Two  Hundredth  Anniversary  of  a 
Christian  chnrch  at  Jamaica,  Long  Island,  and  in  all 
probability  the  oldest  Presbyterian  church  on  this  con- 
tinent !  That  Father  Makemie  was  an  adopted  son  of 
Presbyterianism  in  America,  and  not  its  father,  is  man- 
ifest from  the  fact  that,  long  anterior  to  his  arrival  in 
this  country,  this  chnrch  existed,  and  witliout  doubt  as 
a  Presbyterian  church ;  and  when,  in  1707,  he  was 
arrested  by  the  amiable  Lord  Cornbury,  he  was  im- 
prisoned in  the  old  stone  church  at  Jamaica. 

It  was  about  1655,  while  Peter  Stuyvesant  was 
Governor  of  l^ew  York,  that  seventeen  persons,  some 
from  Hempstead,  Long  Island,  and  some  from  'New 
England,  formed  this  settlement.  They  were  a  vir- 
tuous, godly  race.  The  town  records  for  February 
27,  1658,  say  :  "  It  is  y'  day  voted  by  this  town  that 
no  person  shall  sell,  or  give  to  any  Indians  within,  or 
about  y^  said  town,  any  strong  licker,  much  or  little, 
more  or  less,  upon  the  forfeiture  of  fifty  guilders." 
The  original  name  of  the  town  was  "Yemacah,"  of 
Indian  origin.  As  early  as  1662,  public  worship  was 
regularly  established,  to  which  the  citizens  were  called 
by  *' the  sound  of  the  cliurch-going  "  drum.  And  on 
January  22,   1663,  it  was  ''voted   by  the  town  that 


326  APPENDIX. 

Abraham  Smith  shall  liave  thirty  shillings  a  year  for 
beating  the  drum  upon  Sabbath  days,"  etc. 

It  would  seem  that  longevity  has  become  a  con- 
firmed habit  with  persons  and  things  in  Jamaica.  The 
church  two  liundred  years  old ;  three  of  the  ruling 
elders  more  than  forty  years  in  the  eldership ;  the 
superintendent  of  the  Sabbath-school  more  than  thirty 
years  in  office,  and  able  to  count  more  than  twenty 
ministers  of  the  Gospel  who  have  once  been  in  con- 
nection with  his  school,  and  an  uncommon  number  of 
venerable,  silver-headed  patriarchs  in  the  congregation  ! 

The  commemorative  services  were  commenced  on 
Tuesday  afternoon,  the  Yth  inst.,  at  half-past  three 
o'clock,  with  a  most  instructive  discourse  of  a  histori- 
cal character,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  James  M.  Macdonald, 
formerly  pastor  of  the  church,  and  now  of  Princeton, 
New  Jersey.  The  house  was  crowded,  and  at  the  close 
of  the  service  all  withdrew  w^ith  the  deep  conviction 
that  such  an  anniversary  could  not  have  had  a  more 
instructive  and  appropriate  beginning. 

On  Wednesda}^  morning,  at  half-past  ten  o'clock,  the 
conorreiration  ao^ain  assembled  for  free  conference  and 
prayer.  Dr.  Macdonald  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  a 
most  touching  and  impressive  service  it  was.  Before 
our  eyes  on  each  side  of  the  pulpit,  was  a  marble 
tablet,  containing  the  names  of  all  the  deceased  pastors 
of  the  church,  beginning  with  Zechariah  Walker,  in 
1662.  Here  and  there,  in  the  same  pew,  might  be  seen 
the  grey-haired  patriarch,  with  his  white  cravat  and 
venerable  mien,  and  the  son,  in  the  vigor  of  manhood, 
evidently  ready  to  endure  hardness  in  the  service  of 
either  Church  or  State,  and  the  flaxen-haired,  bright- 


APPENDIX.  827 

eyed  grand-dangliter,  the  flower  in  the  grass  beneath 
the  aged  tree.  Children  of  the  church  were  there 
from  a  distance,  se^reral  of  whom  came  to  tell  the  story 
of  their  labors  as  ambassadors  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  first  who  spoke  was  the  venerable  Dr.  Shelton, 
now  more  than  two  score  years  a  ruling  elder  in  that 
church.  Among  other  things,  he  told  of  a  pious  wo- 
man of  the  congregation  in  former  days,  who,  one 
night  before  retiring,  bent  the  knee  in  prayer  at  her 
bedside,  and  when  she  rose  to  lay  her  head  upon  her 
pillow,  to  her  astonishment,  she  found  the  daylight 
streaming  into  the  windows  !  She  had  spent  the  whole 
night  in  prayer ! 

Following  him,  came  several  *'  children  of  the 
Church,"  now  ambassadors  of  Christ,  with  their  stories 
of  hallowed  and  touchino:  reminiscences.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Weeks,  from  the  vicinity  of  Rochester,  New  York  ; 
the  Rev.  Elias  N".  Crane,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Everitt,  and  the 
Rev.  -Mr.  Higbie — all  these  brethren  spoke  in  the  most 
earnest  manner  of  God's  faithfulness  as  a  covenant- 
keeping  God  ;  and  all  bore  repeated  and  explicit  testi- 
mony to  the  value  of  Sabbath-school  instruction,  as  il- 
lustrated in  their  own  experience. 

As  the  exercises  continued,  every  heart  was  moved, 
and  tears  flowed  freely  from  aged  and  youthful  eyes, 
and  when  Mr.  Laurens  Reeve,  Superintendent  so 
long  of  the  Sabbath-school,  was  called  upon,  his  emo- 
tions utterly  forbade  utterance. 

The  representatives  from  sister  churches  and  Presby- 
teries were  now  called  on  ;  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  N.  E.  Smith 
of  Brooklyn,  now  of  the  Dutch  church,  responded  in  a 
happy  address.     His  father,  now  ninety  years  old,  was 


328  APPENDIX. 

formerly  a  member  of  the  Jamaica  Church,  and  could 
narrate  many  curious  incidents  in  its  history.  The  old 
square  stone  church  stood  in  the  middle  of  the  road, 
and,  besides  the  usual  door  before  the  pulpit,  had  two 
others  in  the  sides  of  the  building,  opposite  each  other, 
and  connected  by  an  aisle.  One  summer  Sabbath, 
when  the  people  were  engaged  in  worship,  and  these 
two  doors  standing  open,  a  worthless  fellow,  at  a  neigh- 
bouring tavern,  made  a  bet  that  he  would  ride  on 
horseback  in  at  one  of  these  side  doors,  and  out  at  the 
other — wdiich  bet  he  w^on  !  The  effect  on  preacher  and 
hearer,  of  the  sudden  apparition  of  a  man  on  horseback 
in  the  midst  of  the  congregation,  may  be  imagined. 

The  Eev.  W.  B.  Reeve,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Long 
Island  ;  the  Rev.  W.  P.  Breed,  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Philadelpliia,  the  venerable  motlier  of  all  our  Presby- 
teries ;  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Krebs,  of  the  Presbytery  of 
ISTew  York,  made  appropriate  gratulatory  addresses. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  Dr.  Krebs  preached  on  the 
text,  "  The  jo}^  of  the  Lord  is  your  strengtli."  Thurs- 
day morning,  Mr.  Breed  preached  from  Heb.  xii.  1.  In 
the  afternoon,  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was 
celebrated,  and  it  added  no  little  to  the  solemnity  of 
the  occasion,  to  reflect  that  the  generations  of  two  cen- 
turies had  refreshed  themselves  at  that  table  on  their 
way  to  the  marriage-supper  of  the  Lamb.  This  was 
the  closing  service  ;  and,  altogether,  the  occasion  was 
of  a  most  refreshing  and  delightful  character,  and  will 
not  soon  be  forgotten  by  any  who  were  permitted  to 
participate  in  its  sweet  solemnities.  May  many  a 
godly  generation  yet  enjoy  the  precious  means  of  grace 
in  the  venerable  old  church  at  Jamaica !  B. 


APPENDIX.  329 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Elders,  Deacons,  and  Trustees, 
lield  January  2Ttli,  1862,  the  report  of  the  Committee 
of  arrangements  was  accepted  and  adopted.  It  was 
"  Eesolved  that  our  thanks  be  presented  to  the  Brethren 
Avho  have  come  to  assist  in  tlie  anniversary  exercises ; 
that  a  new  edition  of  500  copies  of  the  liistory  of  the 
churcli  be  published,  and  that  the  Rev.  Dr.  Macdonald 
be  requested  to  complete  it  for  the  two  centuries  of  the 
churh's  existence ;  that  a  narrative  of  the  anniversary 
exercises  be  published  as  an  appendix  to  the  same,  and 
copies  of  the  sermons  preached  on  the  occasion  solicit- 
ed for  publication."  The  Committee  of  arrangements 
w^ere  authorized  to  carry  out  these  resolutions,  and 
Latliam  M.  Jaggar,  was  appointed  treasurer  of  the 
publication  fund. 


Date  Due 

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1 

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PRINTED 

IN  U.  S.  A. 

